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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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Nigeria Leads in AI for Learning, Entrepreneurship—Google

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AI for Learning Nigeria

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A new report released by global tech giant, Google, in collaboration with Ipsos, has revealed that Nigeria is writing the playbook on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it leads in AI for learning and entrepreneurship.

In the study titled Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the hands of more people, it was shown that Nigerians are using AI tools for everything from education to entrepreneurship at a remarkable rate, showing immense optimism for the technology’s future.

It was disclosed that about 88 per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot, a huge 18-point jump from 2024, placing the West African country well ahead of the global average of 62 per cent.

It was also found out that while the top use for AI globally has shifted to learning, Nigerians are taking it a step further, using AI as a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

A staggering 93 per cent of Nigerians use AI to learn or understand complex topics, compared to 74 per cent globally, with 91 per cent using the tool to assist them with their work.

In addition, the research observed that 80 per cent of Nigerians are using AI to explore a new business or career change—nearly double the global average of 42 per cent.

Nigerians have overwhelmingly positive feelings about AI’s role in the classroom and beyond, seeing it as a game-changer for education, with 91 per cent feeling AI is having a positive impact on how we learn and access information versus 65 per cent globally.

The report showed that 95 per cent believe university students and educators are likely to benefit from AI, as 80 per cent of Nigerians are more excited about the possibilities of AI, versus just 20 per cent who are more concerned. Globally, the split is much closer at 53 per cent excited and 46 per cent concerned).

Commenting on the findings, the Communications and Public Affairs Manager for Google in West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said, “It’s inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities for learning, growth, and economic empowerment.

“This report doesn’t just show high adoption rates; it tells the story of a nation that is actively shaping its future with technology, using AI as a tool to accelerate progress and achieve its ambitions. We’re committed to ensuring that AI remains a helpful and accessible tool for everyone.”

Business Post gathered that the research was conducted by Ipsos between September 22 and October 10, 2025, on behalf of Google.

For this survey, a sample of roughly 1,000 adults aged 18+ who are residents of Nigeria and were interviewed online, representing the country’s online population.

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NCC Grants Three Satellite Licences to Boost Broadband Services

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NCC

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has licensed three additional global internet service providers, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, BeetleSat-1, and and Germany-based Satelio IoT Services, as part of efforts to strengthen internet connectivity via satellite and to boost competition among existing internet service providers in the country.

Amazon Leo, formerly Project Kuiper, is Amazon’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, designed to provide fast, reliable internet to customers and communities beyond the reach of existing networks, while BeetleSat (formerly NSLComm) is an international company with strong ties to both Israel and Spain, and its corporate structure involves multiple countries, building a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of 250 satellites to provide high-throughput, low-latency, satellite internet, cellular backhaul, and mobility services globally, and Satelio IoT was approved for its planned 491-satellite IoT system, though only one satellite is currently in orbit.

NCC granted the global internet operators seven-year licences to each to operate in Nigeria from February 28, 2026, to February 28, 2033.

These operators were granted Ka-Band for their frequency band operations, and the licence is renewable after the seven years expiration, according to the regulator.

The NCC’s landing permit authorises Project Kuiper to operate its space segment in Nigeria as part of a global constellation of up to 3,236 satellites.

According to the NCC, the approval aligns with global best practices and reflects Nigeria’s willingness to open its satellite communications market to next-generation broadband providers.

The permit positions Project Kuiper to provide satellite internet services over Nigerian territory and sets the stage for intensified competition with Starlink, currently the most visible Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet provider in the country.

The permit also gives Amazon LEO and BeetleSat-1, the legal certainty to invest in ground infrastructure, local partnerships, and enterprise contracts, while giving Nigeria a wider market opportunity to play in space internet service delivery, where Starlink currently operates.

Amazon’s Kuiper will offer three categories of satellite services in Nigeria: Fixed Satellite Service (FSS), Mobile Satellite Service (MSS), and Earth Stations at Sea (ESAS).

FSS enables broadband connectivity between satellites and fixed ground stations, such as homes, enterprises, telecom base stations, and government facilities. This is the core service behind satellite home internet and enterprise backhaul; MSS, by contrast, is designed for mobility and resilience; and ESIM extends high-speed satellite broadband to moving platforms, including aircraft, ships, trains, and vehicles.

These systems rely on sophisticated antennas that can track satellites in real time while in motion, making them critical for aviation and maritime connectivity as well as logistics and transport sectors.

BeetleSat was founded in Israel, where its groundbreaking antenna technology was developed and supported by the Israel Space Agency.

In 2021, it formed a strategic alliance with the Spanish technology group Arquimea, which is now BeetleSat’s largest shareholder and main industrial partner.

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The Evolution of Digital Communication: How Modular Platforms Are Changing Business Efficiency

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Nicegram

In today’s corporate world, the lines between personal communication and professional production have been blurred into non-existence. As working remotely becomes the norm, not the exception, businesses are seeking ways of making their workflows streamlined in the Apps that their employees are already using.

This change has led to the appearance of powerful third-party clients like Nicegram, which allow users to fill in the gap between simple message brokers and elaborate task managers. By scraping the cream of the crop into interfaces that we’re familiar with, these tools are not only changing the way that we chat, but they are fundamentally changing the ROI of digital communication.

The History of the Super-App Philosophy

The technosphere has been pursuing the vision of the so-called Super-App – one ecosystem where a user can bank, shop, work, and be social. Where the Western market has been lagging behind the Eastern in devoting itself to a single monolithic App, we are witnessing a new form of evolution, that of the modular development of existing ones.

It is becoming apparent to the business leaders that there is fatigue that results when you attempt to make your employees cross a series of fifteen tabs (CRM systems up to project management boards). Such a mental burden may lead to a 40% loss of 40%. The solution? Taking the tools to the conversation instead of making the conversation compatible with the tools.

The Dynamics of Messaging Infrastructure to Business

The last competitive advantage in the year 2026 will be the speed of information. Agile startups tend to be too slow on traditional email, whereas specialized enterprise software can be too strict to facilitate creativity. Instant messaging networks have bridged this divide and emerged as a trade-off in the relationships between immediate, persistent, and available.

Nevertheless, in many situations, off-the-shelf messaging Apps lack the scalability and controls to be used professionally. This is the point of intersection of business and tech, and this is where the interesting part appears. Improved client access is beginning to be exploited by modern companies:

  • State-of-the-art multi-accounting. Important to social media managers and consultants who are involved with various clients.
  • Built-in translation tools. Enabling transnational communication between localised teams without turning off the chat interface.
  • Encryption layers and privacy. Securing confidential proprietary information during transit.

The Security Imperative

The more business logic we include in our channels of communication, the greater the risk of security increasing. Cybersecurity is no longer the business of the IT department; it is a fundamental building block of business. In adopting digital tools, organisations are making a statement regarding transparency and sovereignty of the information.

The tendency is in favor of open source foundations and API based enhancements. This enables the businesses to authenticate the security measures of the business communication tools and yet access the custom functionality to enhance productivity daily.

With platforms being set upon enforced and dependable protocols, the firms can always have the best of both worlds: reliability of a worldwide giant combined with the adaptability of a niche, productive package.

Artificial Intelligence integration: the Best Frontier

AI is a vital part of tech and business that cannot be discussed. The biggest advancement in the history of communication technology in the recent past has been the inclusion of the Large Language Model (LLM) on chat windows. To illustrate this, suppose that the manager of a project was endowed with a complicated brief that was brought to him by a message. AI-boosted clients can now type a summary of it or make a calendar appointment instead of doing it manually:

  • Write long lines into lists that you can;
  • create expert replies depending on the distinct tone of the user;
  • program the scheduling with natural language.

The tools that we employ to encrypt our information, to generate our daily reminders, and even the way we are automating our lives through the tools that we consume, determine how rapidly we are maturing. With the adoption of the strength of the improved messaging ecosystem, companies may assist in building a more connected, effective, and secure future.

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