WhatsApp Launches ‘Safety Overview’ Tool, Bans 6.8 Million Scam Accounts

In response to the growing threat of digital scams, WhatsApp has launched a powerful new security feature called “Safety Overview”. Designed to protect users from being added to suspicious or unfamiliar groups, the feature is now rolling out across India, a key market for the messaging giant.

The launch of this tool comes amid a broader push by WhatsApp and parent company Meta to crack down on criminal scam operations, which have been rising globally. In the first half of 2025, over 6.8 million accounts linked to scam centres were banned, underscoring the scale and seriousness of the problem.

What is “Safety Overview”?

The new Safety Overview feature is designed to improve user transparency and decision-making when it comes to group invitations. One of the most common scam tactics involves adding users to unknown groups without consent. These groups are often the starting point for phishing attempts, job scams ...