WhatsApp prepares Apple AirDrop-style feature for file sharing – La Nación

2024-09-03 06:06:26

WhatsApp is developing a feature similar to Apple’s AirDrop, to facilitate wireless file transfers between users who are physically close to each other, using end-to-end encryption for greater security.

This feature called People nearby, was discovered by the specialized portal WaBetaInfo in the beta for Android version 2.24.2.20while its availability for users of Apple’s iOS operating system has not yet been confirmed.

It is important to note that Cross-platform compatibility could be crucial to the success of this tool that will allow the exchange of photos, videos and files efficiently in spaces such as social events and meetings.

Remember that AirDrop is a way to share files between iPhone, iPad and MacAnd the best thing is that it works wirelessly, detecting nearby Apple devices to which any file can be sent.

The feature would allow you to quickly share files with users who are not added as contacts. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

The new one tool would allow for the rapid and direct exchange of documentswithout the need to add users as contacts.

Users will only have to access a special section within WhatsApp to send and receive filesensuring that privacy is maintained and avoiding receiving unwanted files.

Besides, it would be required to shake the device to generate a request to share any type of files.

Users will need to access a special section within WhatsApp and shake their devices to initiate a swap request. (WABetaInfo)

So the widespread adoption of this feature It could mean a change in the way information is transmitted between devicesby offering a transversal option between different operating systems.

Which would make a big difference to features like AirDrop, which is exclusive to Apple users, or Google’s Nearby Share.

The feature, which is still in development, would represent an alternative to AirDrop. (Illustrative image Infobae)

The potential of this new WhatsApp feature is significant, mainly in social settings where sharing instant moments immediately has become essential.

But in addition to speed, which could improve the experience at family events and outings with friends, the End-to-end encryption ensures the security of shared datapreventing sensitive information from being intercepted by third parties.

On the other hand, The feature would prevent phone numbers from being displayed to strangersproviding a superior level of security and privacy.

This novelty adds to some capabilities that WhatsApp has been testing, such as theme customization and implementing usernames.

Unknown calls are usually scams to steal data or money. (Fabian Sommer/dpa)

The calls in WhatsApp have become a target for cybercriminals, who Taking advantage of the opportunity to contact their victims with the account numbermake calls to scam, harass or threaten.

These stand out for the prefix that accompanies them, which is a initial number indicating the international code to which the contact is associatedsuch as +234 which belongs to Nigeria or +62 which is from Indonesia.

As an application connected to the Internet, it is possible for these numbers to communicate with us without having to spend money on international calls. And usually the number is just a randomly generated façade, behind which a cybercriminal hides.

For this reason, these types of calls should not be answered, because It is surely an attempt at fraud that will seek to impersonate the identity of a company, bank or entity. and thus steal our data, voice recordings or money.

WhatsApp has a privacy option that solves this problem at its root. In the application we can silence calls from any unknown number, that is, the cell phone will not ring if a contact we do not have saved calls us. Communication will take place, but we will never be alerted about it. and a notification will only be generated once the call attempt has ended.

To configure this tool, follow these steps:

1. Open WhatsApp.

2. Go to Settings.

3. Look for the Privacy option.

4. In this menu go to the Calls box.

5. Activate the button found in that window.

By: Infobae