WhatsApp introduces image search to boost the sharing experience

WhatsApp is set to introduce a new feature related to photo sharing. According to ongoing tests in the beta program, developers are working on an option to search received images online. This feature will allow users to conveniently access additional information, such as details about specific products from a store.

WABetaInfo discusses detailed information. The new feature involves adding another option to the context menu of received photos in WhatsApp chats. If someone sends an image in a conversation, besides being able to save it, create a sticker from it, or edit it, the user will gain an additional "search the web" option. WhatsApp will then upload the image to Google's search engine and display the results.

This solution can be helpful in a store or during a conversation with friends about specific products. Instead of using the product's name or technical data, WhatsApp will speed up the process and help users reach contextually related websites based on the image—similar to how Google Lens, recently embedded into Chrome's search bar or available as a separate app on Android, functions.

The new feature described in WhatsApp is currently only available to a select few. Tests are ongoing, and it will take some time before regular users can expect its release on their smartphones. Typically, the wait for such new features lasts several weeks, or at most a few months. WhatsApp users are advised to be patient.

In the context of WhatsApp, it is essential to prioritize security from the first moment of using the application, including during activation, which uses a 6-digit code. This code plays a crucial role in user authorization; it is sent to the phone number via SMS or call. The security of this code is extremely important, as anyone who has access to it can access the account.

Fraud cases where criminals extract this code are common. A scammer may claim that they accidentally entered the victim's phone number during login and then ask for the code the victim just received. If the scammer obtains the code, they can take over the WhatsApp account, resulting in the loss of access to new messages, photos, and videos. All incoming messages start going to the scammer. The attacker can also impersonate the victim from that moment on.