WhatsApp now warns you before sharing screen with strangers during video call, why it is a big deal

The messaging app will now alert users when they attempt to share their screen during a video call with an unknown contact. This warning advises users to share their screens only with trusted contacts, helping them avoid falling for scammers who might try to trick them into revealing sensitive information.

Screen-sharing scams have become a popular tactic among cybercriminals who pose as customer service agents or bank representatives. They often convince users to “just share your screen” to resolve an issue or verify an account, only to steal login details, OTPs, or banking information visible on the display. By introducing real-time warnings, WhatsApp aims to make users pause and reconsider before exposing personal data to strangers. a move that could help prevent countless cases of financial fraud.

But the new scam-prevention update doesn’t stop there. Meta is also testing advanced AI-based scam detection on Messenger that scans messages from new or suspicious contacts. If a conversation looks dubious, users will receive an alert and the option to submit recent chat messages for an AI safety review. The system then analyses the exchange and warns the user if it detects signs of a scam, along with suggestions such as blocking or reporting the account. These features are part of Meta’s broader effort to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday user protection across its platforms.

In addition to scam detection, Meta has introduced Passkeys for Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp – allowing users to log in securely using their device’s fingerprint, face, or PIN instead of relying on passwords. On Facebook and Instagram, a Security Checkup tool helps people review their security settings and update passwords, while WhatsApp’s Privacy Checkup lets users control who can add them to groups or contact them directly.

Meta highlights that scammers constantly adapt their methods and often operate across multiple platforms. The company recently disrupted around eight million accounts linked to scam centres in countries including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the UAE, and the Philippines. It also removed over 21,000 Pages and accounts impersonating customer service representatives to extract information from unsuspecting users.

For WhatsApp’s two billion users, the new screen-sharing warning might seem like a small update, but it could make a big difference. As online scams grow more sophisticated, even a single moment of hesitation could protect someone from a costly mistake. By combining AI-driven alerts, stronger security tools, and awareness campaigns, Meta hopes to make everyday interactions a little safer, one video call at a time.

A post shared by Dorje Angchuk (@dorje_nyrchung)

Angchuk, who serves as the Indian Astronomical Observatory’s engineer-in-charge, said, “Even in the quiet skies of Hanle, Comet Lemmon shares its stage with the ever-growing traces of human presence.”

Comet Lemmon was first discovered by astronomers using the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. It has since drawn attention for its long, ionised tail and rapidly brightening coma as it interacts with solar radiation while nearing the Sun.

Astronomers note that such comets are remnants of the early solar system, containing pristine material billions of years old.

The Indian Astronomical Observatory in Hanle, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, has long been a hub for celestial discoveries. The newly captured footage by Angchuk not only celebrates Hanle’s extraordinary viewing conditions but also showcases India’s growing role in global sky observation and science outreach.

As Comet Lemmon continues its journey through the inner solar system, scientists expect it to remain visible for a few more days to those under dark skies – a fleeting but glorious visitor reminding humanity of the timeless beauty above.