Police warns about group settings in WhatsApp: but is that justified?

May 20, 2021 Luisa Rey

A status update of the Dutch police is circulating on social media. A warning is given for changed group settings, but is that message correct?

WhatsApp group settings

Several neighborhood police officers warn on social networks about new group settings in WhatsApp that have been changed. In addition, various forces on Facebook and Twitter have also shared this message. In addition, we have heard through international media that this message is circulating in more countries, including Germany.

According to the community police officer who shares the message first, anyone you don’t know could join you in a group conversation; also people you don’t know. In addition, you would not be aware of the fact that you are being added to a group. According to the report, this poses a risk of phishing, bugs and scams.

But is this correct? It is mainly a storm in a glass of water, as AVROTROS Opgelicht also reports. We can inform you that this setting is not new at all and would already be old if WhatsApp offers group conversations. The suggestion made by this message is that you run an immediate risk of being hit. That’s bullshit. Being added to a group conversation by someone doesn’t automatically mean they can access your contacts or plunder your bank account. This requires an action from a user. This is possible, for example, if you click on a malicious link.

The chance that you will be added to a WhatsApp group by a stranger will not be that great in practice. Also, if you are added to a group by someone unknown, a bell will probably ring. This approach is also not very logical because it is not personal, and otherwise others in a group discussion will react negatively.

Adjust group settings

It certainly doesn’t hurt to take a look at the settings for the groups in WhatsApp. You can choose yourself which privacy setting you select for this. Sometimes it can be useful if someone who is not in your contact list adds you to a group. For example for work, a gift or for any other reason.

You can adjust the settings via the settings below.