Meta also replaces a legacy C++ media-handling security library with Rust

Users of Meta's WhatsApp messenger looking to simplify the process of protecting themselves are in luck, as the company is rolling out a new feature that combines multiple security settings under a single, toggleable option. 

Strict Account Settings is what Meta is calling the new lockdown mode built into its WhatsApp encrypted-by-default messenger. Found under the Settings > Privacy > Advanced menu in the iOS and Android versions of WhatsApp, Strict Account Settings will limit a good deal of app functionality in the name of better security.

Users are made more invisible by restricting last seen and online status, profile photos and account details to contacts and other select users; who can add them to groups is limited; link previews are disabled; high-volume messages from unknown accounts are blocked; security code change notifications are turned on; and two-step verification is enabled by default on the account.

Individual features of ...