Brands/Products
9 Ways to Ensure Safer Messaging Experience on WhatsApp
People share some of their most personal thoughts and information via messaging apps. WhatsApp safeguards all your messages with default end-to-end encryption – which means only you and the person you are chatting with can see them.
However, here are a few additional steps you can take to add additional layers of security to your conversations.
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Use Two-step verification to protect your account: Activate two-step verification to add more security to your WhatsApp account. Once enabled, you will be asked for a 6-digit PIN when resetting or verifying your account. This safeguards your account against phishing attacks and takeover attempts by scammers.
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Always use the official app: Make sure you’re using the latest version of the official WhatsApp. Your messages are only secure and private when using the official app. Make sure the logo looks correct, and the name of the app is just “WhatsApp”. Fake apps pose security risks, including sending spam and scams to others without your knowledge. If you’re on Android and simply want two accounts on your phone, you can now add a second account using one official app (Learn more).
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Safeguard sensitive information with disappearing options: For greater privacy on your messaging experience, you can choose to send photos and media with View Once which will allow recipients to see the message only once without the option to save, forward, screenshot or share the message. View once is also available for voice notes, allowing them to be played just once.
Switching off read recipients and using disappearing messages are other features to further protect chats that are important to you.
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Protect your most personal chats with Chat Lock: Add another layer of security to your intimate conversations with Chat Lock. It places a particular chat thread in a folder that can only be accessed by you. You can also create a unique password that’s different from your device password to protect chats that mention personal or financial information. In the event someone else gets access to your phone, chat lock will keep your conversations safe from prying eyes.
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Be the best admin for your Group/Community: If you’re the admin for your work WhatsApp group or your neighbourhood community, you can safeguard it to ensure it’s a place for meaningful connection and conversations. You can decide who joins a group, restrict members’ permissions to make changes to your community’s subject, icon or description, and even delete unwanted messages or remove members.
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Protect against scams: Scams can happen anywhere, via calls, email or messages. The first step to protecting yourself is to pause and think. If you receive a suspicious message that asks for personal information, verify if you know the contact, have common groups with them or is even coming from the country you’re in. WhatsApp asks if you want to Block an unknown contact right away. Even later, it is easy to report and block suspicious contacts to keep your account secure.
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Silence unknown callers: Calls from unknown numbers can disrupt your day. WhatsApp lets you silence unknown callers, helping automatically prevent spam and scam calls.
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Only link devices from trusted sources: WhatsApp lets you link up to four devices to your primary phone for an uninterrupted chat experience. However, when linking your device to a desktop using a QR code, make sure you type in the URL web.whatsapp.com or have the official app (from whatsapp.com/download or the app store). You can also review your linked devices by going to Settings>Linked Devices and logging out any device you don’t recognise.
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Take the Privacy checkup: Not sure about which privacy settings to use? Take the privacy check-up on your WhatsApp app to know more about features that can keep your conversations protected and enable the features you need, all in one place.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of Canal+ Africa, Mr David Mignot, has disclosed that MultiChoice is now fully integrated into the media group.
Mr Mignot disclosed this via a statement issued on Thursday, noting that this development marks a new phase in the evolution of one of Africa’s leading pay television operators.
He noted that the integration positions MultiChoice within a global media organisation with an extensive international footprint.
“MultiChoice is now a full subsidiary of a truly international media group operating in 70 countries. The group was founded in France, is listed in London and Johannesburg, and has a strong African presence with operations in more than 45 countries,” Mr Mignot said.
The statement underscores the scale of the combined business, highlighting Canal+’s global reach alongside its significant investments across Africa.
The completion of the transaction is expected to strengthen MultiChoice’s position in the African media and entertainment market by giving it access to the broader resources, expertise and international capabilities of the Canal+ Group, while reinforcing the group’s commitment to the continent.
MultiChoice operates across sub-Saharan Africa through platforms including DStv and GOtv, serving millions of subscribers with entertainment, sports and news content.
By Adedapo Adesanya
FoodCourt, a Nigerian cloud kitchen startup backed by Y Combinator, has suspended operations after months of unpaid salaries and mounting debts to vendors triggered a staff strike and forced the company to halt customer orders, according to a report by TechCabal.
The publication reported that customers first noticed on March 4 that they could no longer place orders through the FoodCourt app after the company disabled ordering as kitchen workers, delivery personnel and branch staff embarked on strike over unpaid wages. The company also owed outstanding payments to vendors.
By April 19, FoodCourt had temporarily shut its last operating branch after suspending activities across its Lagos and Abuja locations while seeking fresh funding and restructuring the business, according to the report.
The company’s chief executive, Mr Henry Nneji, said the decision to pause operations was not caused by a single issue but by a combination of operational, organisational and working-capital challenges.
“It’s important to clarify that the decision to pause operations wasn’t driven by one single issue. We reached a point where it became clear that continuing to patch those issues while operating wasn’t the right long-term decision,” he said.
“The objective is to build a stronger business than the one that existed before the suspension. We fully intend to bring FoodCourt back,” he added in an emailed response.
The company acknowledged outstanding obligations to employees, vendors, riders and service providers, but declined to disclose the number of affected workers or the total amount owed. It said efforts were underway to resolve the liabilities as part of its restructuring process.
It was also reported that the startup’s financial difficulties worsened after expansion into additional locations increased operating costs, while its cloud kitchen model came under pressure from rising labour, logistics, food and marketing expenses.
Despite the shutdown, Mr Nneji said FoodCourt intends to relaunch after completing its restructuring, adding that the company believes demand for its products remains strong.
Founded in 2021 by Henry Nneji and Paul Adokiye Iruene, FoodCourt operates cloud kitchens under multiple virtual restaurant brands through its consumer app. According to TechCabal, the startup had previously disclosed raising $1.7 million, delivering more than one million meals and reaching $4.3 million in annual recurring revenue by the end of 2024.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
To further reinforce its commitment to continuous enhancement of customer experience through menu innovation and quality improvements, Chicken Republic, Nigeria’s leading quick-service restaurant brand and a flagship brand of Food Concepts Plc, has improved its Smokey Jollof recipe across restaurants nationwide.
As a customer-centric brand, Chicken Republic regularly evaluates consumer feedback, dining trends, and product performance to ensure its menu continues to deliver the quality and value to which customers have become accustomed.
The updated Smokey Jollof is part of this ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The refreshed recipe represents the latest evolution of one of the brand’s most popular offerings.
Developed with a focus on richer flavour, greater consistency and an even more satisfying eating experience, the improved Smokey Jollof reflects Chicken Republic’s dedication to meeting the evolving tastes and expectations of its customers.
“At Chicken Republic, our customers are at the heart of every decision we make. We are constantly listening, learning and looking for ways to improve the experience we deliver.
“The improved Smokey Jollof is a reflection of that commitment. We’ve refined the recipe to deliver an even richer, more enjoyable taste experience while maintaining the flavour profile our customers know and love,” the Managing Director of Food Concept, Mr Olumide Aniyikaiye, stated.
“Great brands evolve with their consumers. This update is not about changing what people love, but about making it even better.
“We are confident that customers will enjoy the improved recipe and appreciate the attention we continue to invest in delivering quality meals every day,” Mr Aniyokaiye added.
The improved Smokey Jollof is now available at Chicken Republic outlets nationwide, allowing customers to experience a more flavourful and consistent version of a fan-favourite menu item.
This latest enhancement underscores Chicken Republic’s broader commitment to innovation, quality and creating memorable meal experiences for customers across Nigeria.
