WhatsApp is currently testing a reverse image search feature on the web to quickly determine the origin and veracity of a received image. A new shortcut to the photo gallery will also be included.
WhatsApp continues to adopt new security features to maintain the trust of its users. Fully encrypted, instant messaging already offers numerous options to guarantee the confidentiality of exchanges, such as ephemeral messages, the possibility of blocking screenshots for certain messages, sending ephemeral voicemails, etc. This time, she directly attacks fake news, which is becoming more and more numerous with the development of artificial intelligence.
Thus, the specialized site WABetaInfo discovered, in beta version 2.24.21.31 of the application on Android, a reverse image search function on the Web, accessible in the menu when viewing a shared image. A way to protect its users from misleading images and allow them to be better informed about the content exchanged in conversations. And that’s not the only new thing to come.
WhatsApp reverse image search: protect yourself against fake news
This new function, accessible from the option menu offered when the image is displayed in full screen, allows you to launch a query in the Google search engine. No need to save the image in your smartphone gallery or open the web browser to launch a reverse image search! By selecting a photo, simply choose “Search the web” in the options to launch a search via Google, without having to leave the application.
© WABetaInfo
This will allow us to see if the image displayed before our eyes has been manipulated, taken out of context or retouched, determining its origin in a few seconds. Needless to say, this will prove particularly useful in the current context! For now, the feature is only available to a small group of Android beta testers. It should subsequently be deployed to everyone on the stable version of the application.
WhatsApp photos shortcut: a new button to access the gallery
WhatsApp is taking the opportunity to try out some interface changes. Here again, WABetaInfo discovered, in beta version 2.24.23.11 of the Android application, a new shortcut allowing direct access to the photo gallery from the chat bar. This new button would replace the camera icon currently present in this location.
This shortcut would avoid going through several steps and wasting time. Currently, you either have to go through the camera icon or use the attachment button which opens a full menu of options (Gallery, Camera, Location, Contact, Document, Audio, Survey, and the new AI function “Imagine”).
© WABetaInfo
But some might miss the shortcut that is currently there and allows you to take a photo or video in seconds. Also, the new button is currently only accessible to a limited number of users. Meta will likely evaluate their feedback before deciding on a wider rollout.
