New privacy feature in WhatsApp to protect IP address when in calls
For those who are particularly privacy-conscious, you can choose to protect your internet protocol (IP) address from others on WhatsApp calls as an additional layer of privacy. This is designed to make it harder for bad actors in the call to obtain a user’s location by securely relaying the connection through WhatsApp servers.
This privacy setting works by relaying all of your calls through WhatsApp’s servers.
This means your call won’t be connected directly and will avoid revealing your IP address to the person you’re calling.
Group calls are always relayed through WhatsApp’s servers by default.
To access this setting:
- Tap Settings, then Privacy.
- Tap Advanced.
- Turn Protect IP address in calls on or off.
Note: When using call relaying, you might find the call quality is reduced. As always, your calls on WhatsApp are end to end encrypted. No one, not even WhatsApp, can listen to them.
Duncan is a technology professional with over 20 years experience of working in various IT roles. He has a interest in cyber security, and has a wide range of other skills in radio, electronics and telecommunications.