WhatsApp has finally begin to introduce the fingerprint unlock feature on Android smartphones, something that has only been on the iOS platform for some time now.
WABetaInfo who first spotted the feature says that Android users should worry about privacy and data related issues since WhatsApp itsef doesnāt have access to users fingerprint data. The Android system manages the authentication process for WhatsApp which uses Android official APIs.
āI can say that itās safe for your privacy to enable the Fingerptin lock feature because WhatsApp, as any other app cannot (have) access to your fingerprint data: the authentication process is amanaged by the Android system: WhatsApp uses official ANdroid APIs, so no information is sent to WatsApp/Facebook Server,ā WABetainfo said.
WhatsApp most times is very slow in implementing new features. This fingerprint unlock feature was first seen in WhatsApp 2.19.3 beta version for Android in Januarythis year but was disabled at that time. Weāve gotten to the second half of the year before WhatsApp has decided to enable the feature for testing.
The steps to activating the fingerprint unlock feature on Android is still the same way you have been doing it on your iOS device. To enable it, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Fingerprint lock.
Once enabled, this feature will add an extra layer of protection to users chat in the WhatsApp app. The once of the device will be the only person to access his or her chats. The feature also gives users a āshow content in notificationsā option which allow users to decide if they want to show or hide message and sender preview when the fingerprint lock is enabled.
For now, any Android user can download the WhatsApp beta app directly from Google Play Ā Beta ProgrammeĀ or fromĀ APK Mirror.
Any WhatsApp user can decide to set the time limit before your WhatsApp gets locked. You can decide to set it to lock immediately after you quit the WhatsApp messenger or 30 seconds after or a minute after. It all depends on you.
Wawu Gist 