WhatsApp may soon allow you to avoid video calls.

      Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      A new addition has been discovered in the latest beta version of WhatsApp (2.25.7.3 for Android), allowing users to disable their video before accepting a video call. Currently, when receiving a video call on WhatsApp, users can only choose to reject it or accept it, after which they must quickly turn off their video. This situation is a clear and frustrating violation of user privacy, as it compels them to either reveal their faces or to cover their cameras until they can turn the video off.

      As reported by Android Authority, the new feature will introduce a button on the incoming call screen, enabling users to toggle their video on or off prior to accepting the call. If video is disabled, the app will indicate that the call will begin without video by changing the prompt from “Swipe up to accept” to “Accept without video.”

      This feature will not only help you conceal your messy hair, but it will also offer protection against certain scams. There have been incidents in which users accept a video call from an unknown number only to witness illegal or incriminating content on the caller’s video feed.

      Typically, people will hang up at that point, but the harm is already done — the scammer has taken a screenshot that captures both the user's face and the inappropriate content. They then use this screenshot to intimidate and extort money from the user against their will.

      There is currently no specific timeline for when this feature will be available to the public, but Android Authority speculates that it won’t be long.

      Willow Roberts has been working as a Computing Writer at Digital Trends for a year and has been writing for approximately ten years.

      How to know if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp

      Even though it hasn't gained widespread popularity in the U.S., WhatsApp remains the most used messaging app globally, with billions of people utilizing it daily to communicate with friends, family, local groups, and even businesses. However, this vast user base means that not all interactions are positive, leading to WhatsApp implementing a blocking feature to help users avoid unwanted messages.

      It's possible that you have been blocked by some individuals — but how can you tell? Unlike social media platforms such as Twitter, WhatsApp does not notify you if you’ve been blocked, leaving you somewhat uncertain. Nevertheless, there are a few indicators that might suggest you have been blocked by a particular user, despite the absence of a definitive list to confirm it.

      Their WhatsApp profile picture and status do not change.

      WhatsApp now allows you to send self-destructing voice messages

      If you frequently use WhatsApp and take advantage of the view once feature for photo and video messages, you might be pleased to know that this feature has now been extended to voice messages. The view once feature functions as its name implies, erasing a message after it has been viewed only once. While this feature has been available for photos and videos since 2021, you can now send voice messages that can only be played one time before they also disappear from the app.

      WhatsApp used to be one of my favorite apps. Now, I can’t stand it.

      For most of the past decade, WhatsApp has been my primary way to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers. Texting is less common in my country, India, compared to the U.S., due to factors like the overwhelming presence of Android users (alongside the small share of iOS and, therefore, iMessage users), limited costs for SMS messaging, and a poor understanding of RCS.

      Conversely, WhatsApp is more widely embraced here than any other communication platform, primarily because it is free and facilitates a diverse array of media exchanges without geographic restrictions. It is popular among users of all ages, and collectively, they send enough messages to congest the internet.