Meta’s New Anti-Scam Tools for WhatsApp & Messenger:
How They Protect You

By CyberDudeBivash • Updated Oct 22, 2025 • Apps & Services

TL;DR

1. Meta has rolled out a new suite of anti-scam tools across WhatsApp, Messenger (and other apps) including warnings for screen-sharing, AI-powered message scanning, and awareness campaigns.
2. On WhatsApp: A new “group added by non-contact” overview & a warning when sharing your screen with unknown contacts during video calls. 
3. On Messenger: Users can enable a “Scam detection” setting; suspicious messages from unknown senders trigger AI review and protective nudges. 
4. Meta says they disrupted around 8 million scam-linked accounts in early 2025 and are partnered with global telecom bodies to educate vulnerable groups. 
5. For users: Keep apps updated, enable the new scam protections, verify unknown contacts, never share your screen or OTP with unknown persons. More below.

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Table of Contents

1. Why This Matters
2. What’s New?
3. What WhatsApp Users Get
4. What Messenger Users Get
5. What You Should Do
6. Enterprise & Family Use Cases
7. FAQs

Why This Matters

Scams targeting messaging apps—especially those exploiting social engineering, group chats, screen sharing, and multi-platform lures—are rapidly increasing.

Meta Platforms reports they disrupted ~8 million accounts linked to scam centres in early 2025. 

Many victims are older adults, less tech-savvy and more trusting of unknown callers. Meta’s new tools are specifically aimed at bringing strong upfront protections and education. 

What’s New?

The new enhancements span multiple fronts:

• Screen-share alerts — On WhatsApp, when you start to share your screen during a video call with someone not in your contacts, you’ll get a prominent warning. 
• Group entry safety overview — If you are added to a group by someone outside your contacts, WhatsApp may show you details about the group before you fully join, and notifications remain muted until you confirm. 
• AI-powered message-scam detection — On Messenger, enabling Scam Detection causes new chats to be scanned for suspicious patterns; users may optionally submit recent messages for AI review; if at risk, you’ll receive tailored guidance and action options. 
• Passkeys across apps — Meta is rolling device-level authentication (fingerprint/face/PIN) across WhatsApp, Messenger, Facebook/Instagram for safer login. 
• Targeted awareness & education — Meta is working with telecom and senior-citizen literacy campaigns to teach scam-recognition, especially in India and other markets. 

What WhatsApp Users Get

Here are some WhatsApp-specific protections:

• When you receive a group invitation from someone you don’t know, you’ll see a safety overview: who added you, what the group is about, and a “leave quietly” option without viewing messages. 
• If you begin a screen share with someone not in your contacts, you’ll get a clear warning: “Think before you share your screen – this may be someone you don’t know.” These scams often trick victims into typing passwords or revealing OTPs. 
• Messages from unknown numbers may show “You might want to review this chat before continuing” context. Meta has emphasized protection of end-to-end encryption while offering these cues. 

What Messenger Users Get

Here are the enhancements for Messenger:

• Enable “Scam Detection” in Privacy & Safety settings. Once enabled, incoming messages from unknown senders can trigger alerts. 
• You may be asked whether you’d like to send recent messages to Meta’s AI for review if a message triggers suspicion—and if confirmed, you’ll receive guidance on the scam type and options to block/report. 
• Marking messages as scams helps Meta train detection models and protects others in the network. The AI operates in a way that preserves privacy of end-to-end encrypted chats unless you explicitly opt in. 

What You Should Do (Users & Families)

1. Update your apps today. Ensure WhatsApp and Messenger are on the latest versions, so you get these new protections.
2. Enable the new features. For Messenger: turn on Scam Detection. For WhatsApp: review Privacy/Group settings and enable alerts for unknown contacts.
3. Be cautious when sharing your screen or being added to groups you don’t know. Pause, think, and verify before accepting prompts or sharing sensitive info.
4. Talk to your older relatives or less technical family members. Many new protections are designed with seniors in mind—make sure they know how to use them. 
5. Use strong login methods. Enable passkeys and biometric login across Meta’s apps, reduce reliance on SMS codes which scammers can spoof. 

Enterprise & Family Use Cases

For organisations, community groups and family-admins, these tools offer new guardrails—but must be paired with broader policies:

• Include messages/messaging apps in your security training, especially for remote teams, field staff, and family-members of execs.
• Ensure official communication channels never ask for screen-sharing unless pre-scheduled/verified, and staff know how to reject unsolicited requests.
• Roll out device & app update policy fleet-wide; deploy EMM/MDM profiles that enforce latest app versions and restrict unknown-number sharing or group-joining behaviours.
• For communities with elderly members (e.g., associations, clubs, NGOs), help them enable the new features and run a brief session on identifying scamtery. Meta’s multilingual educational initiative can support this. 

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Next Reads from CyberDudeBivash

• Messaging App Security
• Technology Safety for Seniors
• Threat Intelligence & Prevention

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FAQs

Do these features work internationally?

Yes. Meta states the tools are rolling out globally — but availability may vary by region and platform. 

Will my chats still be end-to-end encrypted if I use these protections?

Yes. Meta clarifies that encryption remains intact; any review or AI scanning is optional and requires user consent.

How can I help older family members stay safe?

Enable screen-share warnings, review group join settings, walk them through the “Scam Detection” toggle, and emphasise the “Pause → Think → Verify” habit. 

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