WhatsApp is working on a new privacy feature that will allow users to encrypt their chat backups using a passkey. Passkeys are digital credentials that use biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition instead of traditional passwords. The feature is reportedly being tested in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.24.18.13.

Wabetainfo which first spotted this new passkey encryption feature in beta reported that the feature is part of the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen user data security. Currently, WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for backups, allowing users to protect their backup data with a custom password or a 64-digit encryption key. While these methods offer a high level of security, it also asks users to remember complex passwords or manage long encryption keys, which is cumbersome for users to manage and also increases the risk of being locked out of their own data.

However, now with this new passkey feature, WhatsApp will simplify this process by allowing users to secure their backups using their device’s biometric authentication, including fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock. This means users will be able to access and restore their encrypted backups simply by using the same biometric method they use to unlock their phone, completely eliminating the need to remember passwords and encryption keys.

However, the feature is still in beta and may take a few more weeks to reach all WhatsApp users. However, once available it will provide an additional layer of security for end-to-end encrypted backups.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also working on another privacy feature that will allow users to manage how their contacts are synchronized across multiple devices. According to a report by Wabetainfo, the feature was discovered in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android (version 2.24.18.14). According to the report, WhatsApp has designed the feature to give users more control over their contact data, enhancing both privacy and convenience.

Once the development is complete, WhatsApp will reportedly introduce this feature in a new section within WhatsApp’s settings, allowing users to manage the synchronization of their address book for each WhatsApp account independently. This means that users will have the option to disable contact syncing for the secondary account while keeping it enabled for the primary account. This feature will be particularly beneficial for those who want to maintain separate contact lists for different purposes.

Even if users decide to disable automatic contact syncing, WhatsApp will give users the option of a manual sync option for individual contacts. Wabetainfo notes that this will allow users to sync selective contacts as needed without sharing their entire address book across devices. The manually synced contacts will then be accessible on all linked devices, offering flexibility while maintaining control over personal data.

Notably, this privacy feature to manage contact sync is still in the development stage and is expected to be released as an update in the future.