WhatsApp is testing a feature designed to shield profile photos from being captured as screenshots. The team behind WABetaInfo reports that developers are preparing to limit how avatars are shared by blocking the ability to take screenshots of profile pictures.
The change echoes a move made about five years ago when the app removed a tool that let users save other members’ profile photos. The goal was to protect sensitive user data without notifying the person who owns the photo. In the latest beta, version 2.24.4.25 for Android, the app now blocks screenshots of profile pictures.
When a user attempts to capture a screenshot of a profile photo, a notification informs them that the action is not possible. Such restrictions are familiar to users who have seen similar controls in banking apps or in Telegram when a contact has enabled the option to prevent screen captures. A determined attacker could still obtain a photo by photographing the screen with another device, but the feature raises the barrier to casual sharing and reduces the risk of image leakage.
At present, this capability is limited to a subset of Android beta testers. There is no confirmed timeline for when the feature will appear in stable WhatsApp builds or on other platforms.
Historically, Telegram has explored monetization strategies that involve user costs for certain services. The reference here illustrates broader conversations about how messaging apps balance privacy, security, and user experience across platforms.