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Tezzbuzz Desk- WhatsApp is working on a new AI based Scam Alert feature to protect users from online fraud. With the help of this feature, WhatsApp can identify suspicious conversations and warn users about possible scams in advance. Its purpose is to caution users before falling into the trap of fraud. According to the report, this feature is currently being tested with limited beta users and using it will be completely optional. In the new AI Scam Alert feature, conversations will be analyzed with the help of machine learning technology present on the device. If the system detects scam- signals in a chat, the user may see a warning alert during the conversation. Through this alert, the user can be told that the ongoing conversation with the other person may be suspicious and caution should be taken before sharing any further information or sending money.

The special thing is that after the suspicious chat is identified, the user will have many options. He can block the contact immediately, report the conversation to WhatsApp or continue the conversation if he feels the chat is completely safe. That is, instead of imposing any decision on the user, WhatsApp will give him the option to take action according to the situation. This warning will be visible only to the user for whom the chat has been considered suspicious. The other person will not get any information about it.

The possibility of false alerts has also been taken into account in AI based systems. If WhatsApp mistakenly considers a normal conversation suspicious, the user can mark that chat as Trusted. The alert for that conversation can then be removed and the system will not highlight that chat as suspicious again in the future. This will also give the user control over wrongly flagged conversations. According to the report, the user may also have the option to share his five recently received messages with WhatsApp. However, this will be completely optional. Messages will not be shared with the company without the user's permission. This option can be used to make the scam detection system better and more accurate.

WhatsApp has also taken special care of privacy in this feature. According to the report, scam detection will be done on the device itself and the content of the conversation will not be sent outside the device for verification. That is, just because a chat is found suspicious, it will not automatically be reported to WhatsApp, Meta or any other party. The user will also get the facility to turn off the Scam Alert feature if he wishes. Currently, WhatsApp is testing this feature among limited beta users. If this feature proves to be effective during testing, then it can be rolled out for more users in the future. Amidst the increasing cases of online fraud and fake messages, this AI feature of WhatsApp can play an important role in alerting users before being cheated.