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How to Use WhatsApp Privacy Settings for Maximum Control Over Your Information

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WhatsApp privacy

Privacy-related concerns are among the serious issues in this digital age, necessarily in the use of WhatsApp or other instant messaging platforms. As a matter of fact, WhatsApp is one of the most downloaded message apps in the globe. It allows the user of this highly downloaded app to have several privacy features while keeping information from contacts within. The following tutorial pages will show how WhatsApp’s privacy settings can be used to provide it with full control over one’s personal information so that you can converse with your mind at ease.

Why WhatsApp Privacy Matters

That has never been more important than it is today, when incidents of cyberattacks and breaches of concerns continue to increase. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted out of the box, meaning that only the sender and recipient can read messages. But WhatsApp lets you adjust privacy settings that control who can see your activity and details about your profile.

By managing these settings, you can:

  • Protect your personal data from prying eyes.
  • Prevent unauthorized access to your profile and messages.
  • Avoid being added to unwanted groups that expose your phone number and information.

In short, controlling your privacy on WhatsApp ensures your conversations and personal data stay protected.

Understanding WhatsApp Privacy Settings

WhatsApp also makes different privacy settings available to be enabled so that the amount of your personal information that is given out can be controlled. You open the app, go into Settings, then Account, and finally select Privacy. The following are the main WhatsApp features:

However, it’s worth noting that some users opt for third-party apps like WhatsApp GB to gain access to additional privacy features not available in the official app. WhatsApp GB or GBWA offers enhanced privacy controls, such as hiding your online status, blue ticks, and even typing indicators, without limiting your ability to see others’.

Last Seen and Online Status

Your “Last Seen” timestamp shows the last time you were active on WhatsApp. Full control over this feature at any time is important regarding questions of privacy.

  • Who can see it: You can decide whether to share the Last Seen status with everyone, only your contacts, or even no one at all.
  • Impact: If any person hides their Last Seen status, they will no longer be able to see others’ status.

Profile Photo Visibility

The profile picture is very often the first thing with which one interacts when using WhatsApp; thus, being able to control who can see it or not may be important for privacy.

  • Who can see it: Choose whether everyone can see your profile photo, only your contacts can, or no one can.
  • Why it matters: Don’t expose your profile picture to strangers or contacts you may not be able to trust. Limiting the visibility to close friends and family helps avoid this situation.

About Info Privacy

The “About” section on WhatsApp is where you share a brief status or description about yourself. Although it might seem trivial, this information can reveal a lot about you if not managed properly.

  • Who can see it: Control whether your About information is visible to everyone, only your contacts, or no one.
  • Why it’s important: Sensitive or personal information in the About section should be limited to those you trust.

Status Updates Privacy

WhatsApp Status Updates Like many social media stories, through WhatsApp status updates, you can post text photos and videos for as long as 24 hours. As they are not permanent, they still need to beLng given significant privacy control.

  • Who can see it: The visibility option will give you a choice between making your status updates visible for all of your contacts, selected ones, or only one specific group.
  • Why it is important: A status update contains personal content and should therefore only be shared with trusted contacts.

Controlling Group Privacy on WhatsApp

Group chats can sometimes be overwhelming, especially when added without your consent. WhatsApp gives you control over who can add you to groups.

Who Can Add You to Groups

This feature allows you to decide who can add you to WhatsApp groups, preventing strangers or unknown contacts from adding you.

  • Options: Set it so only your contacts or select contacts can add you to groups.
  • Benefit: Reducing unwanted group invites not only protects your privacy but also limits who can see your phone number and other details shared in groups.

Managing Group Info and Participation

When you are in a group, it is time to manage your participation. You will be able to view the phone number of the group members, and at times, other information about the member, depending on the set permissions within the group.

  • Visibility control: Limit your visibility in groups by choosing not to share any details and by leaving/muting those groups where you’re uncomfortable.
  • Personal info: Be mindful about what you share in group chats to protect your privacy.

Blocking and Reporting Contacts for Enhanced Privacy

Arguably, one of the most effective ways to be in control of your WhatsApp interactions is through blocking. This implies keeping unwanted contacts from messaging you, viewing your profile photo, or assessing your status.

How to Block Contacts

Blocking someone on WhatsApp is simple and highly effective.

  • Steps: Go to the contact’s chat, tap their name, and select “Block.”
  • Impact: Once blocked, they can no longer send you messages or see your profile photo or Last Seen.

Reporting Suspicious Contacts

You can report unwanted or suspicious messages to WhatsApp.

  • When to report: Spam, harassment, or any other abusive messages.
  • What happens: WhatsApp will investigate this report then take necessary action if needed, thus helping one to keep a safe chatting environment.

Two-Step Verification for Added Security

Two-step verification adds an extra layer of security to your WhatsApp account by requiring a PIN whenever you register your phone number.

Enabling Two-Step Verification

Enabling two-step verification is easy, and it’s a surefire way to ensure only you can register your phone number with WhatsApp.

  • steps: Go to WhatsApp settings, find something related to data sharing there, and opt out of it.
  • Why it matters: By limiting any data-sharing at all, you retain a larger level of control over your personal information and are constraining focused advertisements through Facebook.

Managing Data Sharing Permissions with WhatsApp and Facebook

WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, has always brought up questions about the data shared between the platforms. The data shared doesn’t include your messages, but other personal info definitely does, such as phone numbers and device information.

Opting Out of Data Sharing with Facebook

You can manage your data sharing permissions to prevent WhatsApp from sharing your information with Facebook.

  • Steps: In WhatsApp settings, look for the data-sharing options and opt-out.
  • Why it’s important: Reducing data sharing helps you retain more control over your personal information and limits targeted ads from Facebook.

How to Secure Chats with End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp’s default feature is end-to-end encryption, meaning only you and the person you’re communicating with can read your messages.

Verifying Encryption for Specific Chats

To ensure your chats are encrypted, you can verify the encryption status.

  • Steps: Open a chat, tap the contact’s name, and select “Encryption.” You’ll see a code that ensures your messages are secure.
  • Importance: Verifying encryption gives you peace of mind that your messages are protected from third parties.

Best Practices for WhatsApp Privacy

Maximizing your privacy on WhatsApp requires ongoing attention. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Regularly Update Your App

WhatsApp updates its privacy features regularly, so keeping the app updated means you have access to the latest security tools. 

  • Why it matters: Updates often include critical privacy enhancements to protect your data.

Be Mindful of Shared Links and Media

Shared media, like photos and videos, can expose personal information if you’re not careful.

  • Tips: Only share content with trusted contacts, and be mindful of what’s visible in your photos or videos.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Privacy on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has other powerful features with regard to privacy: basically, the right for users to decide with whom they share their personal information and where their data spreads. From settings controlling your Last Seen, enabling two-step verification-these set-ups give you ways to make sure your data is kept secure. Thus, be sure that your information is going to stay safe, protected by your choice, when you go through your privacy settings and update them from time to time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is there a way that I can hide my WhatsApp profile photo from someone?

Go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Profile Photo and select “My Contacts Except.” to exclude the photo from certain people.

What happens if I block a person on WhatsApp?

The blocked contact cannot see your Last Seen, profile photo, and even cannot send you messages.

Can I somehow stop adding me to different groups without asking for my permission?

Yes, you can. To do this, go into Settings -> Privacy -> Groups, and then select either “My Contacts” or “My Contacts Except.”

How do I know my chat in WhatsApp is encrypted?

To verify the security code, making sure that end-to-end encryption is enabled, tap on the name of the contact in the conversation, then on “Encryption”.

What does two-step verification do, and why should I enable it?

Two-step verification works by first providing an extra layer during WhatsApp’s registering process, whereby one has to create a PIN, which offers additional security to prevent unauthorized access to the account.

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Google Pumps $37m into Africa to Boost AI Research, Digital Skills, Others

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Google AI Community Centre

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

About $37 million is being invested in Africa by Google to ensure the continent is not left behind in technology, with $7 million earmarked for Artificial Intelligence (AI) education in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa to support academic institutions and nonprofits building localized AI curricula, online safety training, and cybersecurity programs.

In addition, two new $1 million grants from Google.org aim to bolster AI research capacity across the continent.

One grant goes to the African Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI) at the University of Pretoria to support applied AI research and training. The other supports the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute in South Africa, which will fund MSc and PhD students to conduct foundational AI research and help shape Africa’s role in the global AI landscape.

Also, the tech giant is providing $25 million for an AI Collaborative for Food Security, which will bring together researchers, and nonprofit organizations to co-develop AI tools for early hunger forecasting, crop resilience, and tailored guidance for smallholder farmers.

The goal is to help make food systems across Africa more adaptive, equitable, and resilient in the face of increasing climate and economic shocks.

Further, the company is providing $3 million for Masakhane Research Foundation to support the development of high-quality datasets, machine translation models, and speech tools that make digital content more accessible to millions of Africans in their native languages.

To further empower innovation, Google is launching a catalytic funding initiative to support AI-driven startups tackling real-world challenges. This platform will combine philanthropic capital, venture investment, and Google’s technical expertise to help more than 100 early-stage ventures scale AI-based solutions in agriculture, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors. Startups will also receive mentorship, access to tools, and technical guidance to support responsible development.

Google has also launched an AI Community Centre in Accra for AI learning, experimentation, and collaboration in Africa. The facility will host training sessions, community events, and workshops focused on responsible AI development.

Its programming will span four pillars: AI literacy, community technology, social impact, and arts and culture — providing a platform for a diverse ecosystem of developers, students, and creators to engage with AI in ways that are grounded in African priorities.

To help meet the rising demand for AI and digital skills, Google is rolling out 100,000 Google Career Certificate scholarships for students in higher learning institutions across Ghana.

These fully funded, self-paced programs will focus on AI Essentials, Prompting Essentials, and other high-growth fields like IT Support, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity — enabling more learners to access job-ready training and build careers in AI and the digital economy.

“Africa is home to some of the most important and inspiring work in AI today. We are committed to supporting the next wave of innovation through long-term investment, local partnerships, and platforms that help researchers and entrepreneurs build solutions that matter,” the Senior Vice President for Research, Labs, and Technology and Society at Google, Mr James Manyika, said.

Also, the Vice President of Engineering and Research at Google, Mr Yossi Matias, stated, “This new wave of support reflects our belief in the talent, creativity, and ingenuity across the continent. By building with local communities and institutions, we’re supporting solutions that are rooted in Africa’s realities and built for global impact.”

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How This AI Alert by Airtel is Transforming Mobile Security in Africa

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AI Alert by Airtel Odeshi

These days, people rely heavily on their mobile phones for talking, texting, banking, social media, and storing important personal information. Because of this, scammers and spammers often target phone users.

Mobile fraud, like fake SMS messages and scams, is becoming more common and putting millions at risk of losing money or having their private details stolen.

Airtel’s new AI-powered Spam Alert Service offers a smart and timely way to fight back, marking a major step forward in protecting mobile users in Africa.

A brief look at mobile fraud and spam

Mobile fraud and spam are problems around the world, but they hit harder in places where mobile phone use is growing fast, and safety measures haven’t caught up.

A 2024 report from GSMA Mobile Economy shows that more than 20% of mobile users globally have experienced some kind of mobile fraud, with spam texts being one of the most common.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has noted a sharp rise in scam messages and fake calls, leading to yearly losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

These spam texts often include fake links, harmful ads, or tricks to steal personal details. Many people get caught without knowing, which can lead to stolen bank money, identity theft, or damaged devices.

Older spam blockers only work on certain phones or apps, leaving many people, especially those using basic phones, without protection.

 Why Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service stands out

Airtel, a top telecom company in Africa, has launched a new and free service called the AI Spam Alert Service. It’s the first of its kind in Africa and aims to protect mobile users from spam text messages as they come in.

What makes this service different is that it doesn’t read or check the actual message content. Instead, it uses advanced artificial intelligence to quickly study the sender’s behaviour using over 250 signs or patterns, all within a fraction of a second.

Some of those parameters, according to Airtel, includes:

  • How frequently the sender changes SIM cards.
  • The volume and frequency of messages sent by the message initiator to different recipients.
  • The geographical spread of the recipient numbers, whether messages are targeted locally or dispersed nationwide.
  • Whether the sender receives replies or only sends messages.
  • A cross-reference of numbers previously reported for spam activity.

The AI completes this analysis in just 2 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye, allowing real-time alerts to subscribers as suspected spam messages arrive.

How Airtel’s Spam Alert Service improves mobile safety and trust

Airtel’s new AI-powered spam alert system is set to make a big difference in mobile security across Nigeria and the rest of Africa. Instead of depending on users to block spam themselves, the service works directly through the network to stop suspicious messages before they reach people’s phones.

This kind of technology helps users feel safer and more confident using mobile networks—especially as more people rely on their phones for banking and other money-related services.

A 2025 report by McKinsey Digital shows that many Africans worry about mobile security when using digital financial tools. By reducing the risk of spam and fraud, Airtel is not only protecting its users but also helping to build a safer digital space where more people can take part in the growing mobile economy.

According to Airtel, within two months of its launch, the spam alert service system has identified 9,667,008 messages as potential spam.

Why this is a game changer

By building a service that is first-of-its-kind in Africa, Airtel is leading the way in offering spam alerts, powered by AI directly on its network, for over 150 million subscribers across the continent.

In addition, the service is quick, spotting suspicious sender activity in just milliseconds without reading users’ messages.

Finally, the service is free and requires no app downloads or extra setup. Airtel says the turns on automatically, making it easy for everyone to stay protected, even those using basic phones.

By sending signals to users before problems happen, Airtel boosts trust and encourages more people to safely use mobile money and other digital services.

Scammers are always finding new ways to trick consumers through the ubiquitous mobile phones, so increased demand for security improvements is, understandably, shifting to telecom companies. Airtel’s AI Spam Alert Service is a strong and timely move toward better, smarter protection for users. As more people start using the service, it should help cut down fraud, keep personal information safe, and make mobile use more enjoyable.

As African economies continue to grow more digital, users of telecom services will need more secure and reliable ways to communicate, and Airtel is leading the way towards that safe future.

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MTN $150m Data Centre Will Unlock Productivity, Drive Diversification—FG

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mtn data centre

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

The $150 million data centre established in Lagos by MTN Nigeria has been described by the federal government as a gamechanger because of it aligns with its digital economy agenda.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, speaking during the unveiling recently in Ikeja, Lagos, said the facility supports the $1 trillion economy the current administration aims to build.

“An investment like this, the one we are here to launch, offers a platform for our young people to thrive. Enterprise-grade infrastructure like this, on our soil, gives startups, developers, and digital creators the ability to build and scale from Nigeria to the world.

“With this facility, MTN is reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s digital backbone. The data centre, named after the late Sifiso Dabengwa, a former CEO of MTN Nigeria and later Group Chief Operating Officer before his passing in September last year is being hailed as Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular data centre

“It will deliver 4.5 MW in phase 1, with an additional 4.5 MW to be delivered in phase 2, which is expected to be completed soon,” he stated.

Mr Tijani noted that the MTN Data Centre would contribute to growing Nigeria’s economy by “unlocking productivity, hiring enterprise, and driving diversification through technological innovation and inclusion.”

The chief executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, represented by the Deputy Director for New Media and Information Security Department, Mr Babagaba Digima, praised MTN’s leadership in digital innovation.

“The commission remains committed to creating an environment that supports innovation while ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity, data protection, and robust internet infrastructure. We will continue to work closely with operators to ensure that the deployment of critical infrastructure meets the high standards our digital economy deserves,” he stated.

Also, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, said the facility “not only signifies MTN’s unwavering commitment to investing in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure but also reinforces the strategic importance of Lagos as a technology and innovation hub for the nation.”

“As we all know, data is the new oil, and cloud technology is the engine that drives it. With its Tier III facilities, MTN is raising the bar for secure, scalable, and efficient enterprise services, critical enablers for businesses, public services, and national as well as multinational corporations alike,” Mr Sanwo-Olu stated.

Also speaking, the chief executive of MTN Nigeria, Mr Karl Toriola, said, “We are committed to building locally managed, globally competitive digital platforms that will enable businesses to scale faster and engage more people in wide-ranging research and development.

“At MTN, we believe everyone, particularly Nigerians and Africans, deserves the benefits of a modern, connected life. We continue to push boundaries to make the humanly impossible, conceivable, feasible, and ultimately possible.”

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