In , digital security is no longer about simply setting a PIN. Sophisticated threats often enter through the most unassuming avenues: an innocent-looking file, a call from an unknown number, or a link clicked with too much trust.
WhatsApp has introduced a feature designed to offer an extreme, yet simple, option: an adjustment that, with just a few taps, reduces the attack surface, albeit at the cost of a more “closed” and less convenient experience.
What Exactly are “Strict Account Settings”?
WhatsApp presents this as a “lockdown-style” feature that locks the account to the most restrictive settings. The approach is deliberately binary: either the entire package is activated, or it isn’t. There’s no picking and choosing individual elements.
This aligns with the philosophy behind other protection modes for targeted individuals (like Apple’s Lockdown Mode or Google’s Advanced Protection), but applied to the area where an intrusion can be most damaging: messaging.
What Changes When You Activate “Bunker Mode”?
When Strict Account Settings are enabled, WhatsApp modifies several typical entry points for attacks:
- Attachments and media from unknown senders are blocked. If the sender isn’t in your contacts, the app prevents receiving files and media – a frequent vector for attacks.
- Calls from unknown numbers are silenced. This reduces the potential for harassment, social engineering, or persistent spam.
- Link previews are disabled. This prevents potentially malicious thumbnails from loading and reduces exposure to indirect tracking.
- Privacy settings are tightened by default: Information like your profile photo, “last seen” status, and “online” presence become more restricted to your contacts.
- Extra restrictions are activated in bulk: WhatsApp also associates this mode with strengthening defenses against sophisticated campaigns, with controls that prioritize security over convenience.
In short: fewer “automatic interactions” and more friction for anyone who isn’t a legitimate contact.
Who Will Benefit… and Who Might Find It Annoying
WhatsApp doesn’t market this as a feature “for everyone.” The stated goal is to protect profiles at higher risk of targeted attacks: journalists, activists, public figures, or individuals handling sensitive information.
For other users, it might feel like living with a helmet indoors: useful during a storm, but uncomfortable when all that’s coming your way are stickers from family. The real value of the mode lies in its intention: reducing damage when the risk is high, not simply improving daily privacy “a little bit.”
How to Activate It and What to Expect from the Rollout
The feature is being implemented gradually. To activate it, WhatsApp directs users to: Settings > Privacy > Advanced.
It’s worth noting that some reports indicate these options are managed from the primary device, not from WhatsApp Web.
The Invisible Reinforcement: Why WhatsApp Mentions Rust
Beyond the visible package of restrictions, WhatsApp also highlighted a technical change: the use of Rust to reinforce critical security-related parts of the app, especially where potentially malicious data is processed.
The reasoning is classic in cybersecurity: Rust helps prevent common memory-related errors that malware and spyware often exploit.
Put simply: the bunker mode adds locks; Rust reinforces the door.
WhatsApp’s move reflects a broader trend in the industry towards offering more granular control over security settings, acknowledging that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t adequately address the diverse threat landscapes faced by different users. The introduction of Strict Account Settings, alongside the adoption of Rust for media processing, signals a commitment to proactively addressing sophisticated cyberattacks and prioritizing user safety, even if it means sacrificing some convenience. This feature joins similar offerings from Apple and Android, demonstrating a growing recognition that extreme protection options are necessary for a subset of users facing targeted threats.
