If you are bothered about intruders meddling in affairs that concern your WhatsApp convos, then the latest update to the iOS version of the messaging app should excite you.
The latest version – 2.19.20, for those taking note – is here with biometric authentication for the first time. This ensures that if you use the extra bit of security, you will not have access to WhatsApp on your mobile device unless you show your face. (I’m talking Face ID- iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR) or fingerprint (every other thing, as far back as the iPhone 5S).
This is remarkably versatile, as the new version of WhatsApp allows you to set time restrictions to this if that is what you want – I mean, you are able to ensure biometrics is needed after 60 minutes of inactivity.
There is a huge warning for paranoid phone users though; notifications are still displayed outside the app as long as it is enabled widely. You can even respond to a notification, so if a problem pops up, then you might want to get to grips with the way iOS tackles notifications more widely.
There is more; you cannot enter WhatsApp and view convo histories without biometric identification.
If you’ll find that useful or not is solely dependent on how your phone is used. For those that are stingy with their phones and have it on them always, this is probably not for you – else you’ll be the one having to unlock your iPhone regularly.
What is very exciting about this is the fact that the iOS version of WhatsApp has been blessed with this feature instead of the Android edition. This can only have something to do with the great number of Android phones out there, but it’s still a massive step for Apple and its current campaign to be the preferred choice for lovers of privacy.
