Today WhatsApp has launched a privacy campaign in India, focused on the importance of secure communication, demonstrating how WhatsApp’s multiple layers of protection offer people more control and privacy over their conversations while engaging with friends, family and now businesses too.

The campaign shows how WhatsApp creates a safe space for people living away from home, to have their most private conversations with their loved ones while building a new community and adjusting to a new life, underscoring WhatsApp’s commitment to user-privacy through built-in layers of privacy and security features added over the years.   

The film follows the journey of a young man who moves to a new city to pursue his passion for becoming a professional chef. Capturing some heartwarming and challenging moments of him adapting to a new culture, learning a new language, and finding his feet in a new work environment, we see how WhatsApp provides him a safe space to be his most authentic and confident self, even in his most vulnerable moments. 

“Over the years we have added layers of security and protection with innovative features that empower users to have their most private conversations on WhatsApp, including talking to businesses they choose to. We’re proud to introduce this campaign that shows the vital role that private and secure messaging plays in people’s lives and how WhatsApp can be a safe space for people to say more and be more, especially when they’re living away from their home and loved ones.” – Vyom Prashant, Director, Consumer Marketing at Meta

“Interpreting and representing the true meaning of privacy that WhatsApp offers is both a challenge and a great opportunity. For this campaign, WhatsApp wanted to capture the essence of people feeling safe and empowered to have private conversations when they’re away from home and their loved ones. Our protagonist, Ikbir’s story is one that will resonate with the millions of Indians who leave their homes and families in search of better opportunities, looking to do more with their lives but need the privacy to be vulnerable and connect with their loved ones, no matter how far away from home they are.” – Shimit Amin, Notable Indian Film Director

While end-to-end encryption is the foundation of what keeps calls and messages secure on WhatsApp, the film educates users on privacy features like Block and Report, Two-step verification and Meta Verified that help strengthen the security of your conversations. The campaign also drives awareness around safety tools and features that equip people with the necessary safeguards to help protect them from online scams and frauds. 

Some Of The Key Safety Features That Help Users Stay Safe From Scams:  

1. Two-step verification to add an extra layer of security to your account: WhatsApp allows users to add an extra layer of security to their account by enabling the Two-Step Verification feature, which requires a six-digit PIN when resetting and verifying your WhatsApp account. This is helpful in case a SIM card gets stolen or if the phone is compromised. 
2. Block and report accounts that are suspicious: WhatsApp is a private and safe space for people to communicate with their loved ones and people who have your phone number. However, at times when users receive problematic messages from unknown numbers, some of which may include suspicious links, request access to personal information, among others WhatsApp provides a simple way for users to ‘block and report’ the account to WhatsApp. If you receive a message from an unknown sender, WhatsApp provides users the option to block them, with additional details such as groups in common, along with safety tools if you need to take action.
3. Silence unknown callers: Designed to give you more privacy and control of your incoming calls, it helps to automatically screen out spam, scams, and calls from unknown people for increased protection. These calls will not ring on your phone, but will be visible in your call list, in case it turns out to be someone important.
4. Identify trusted businesses with the Meta Verified badge: A verified badge on a business profile [labelled with a blue tick] helps customers recognize trusted businesses on WhatsApp so that you’re confident that you’re chatting with the right business. Verified business accounts have been authenticated using a multi-step verification process to help you know that businesses you interact and message with are legitimate.