Android bug ‘erroneously’ showed WhatsApp microphone use

Last month, several WhatsApp users reported that the application is using the microphone, even not in use. It created a big burden for WhatsApp, which was originally an Android issue that Google has recently acknowledged and announced a straightforward fix.
According to the info, through the Android Developers Twitter account, Google cited a “recent Android bug affecting a limited number of WhatsApp users produced erroneous privacy indicators and notifications in the Android Privacy Dashboard.”
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A recent Android bug affecting a limited number of WhatsApp users produced erroneous privacy indicators and notifications in the Android Privacy Dashboard.
Users can now update their WhatsApp app to address this issue.
We thank WhatsApp for their partnership and apologize…
— Android Developers (@AndroidDev) June 21, 2023
In addition, the Android maker disclosed that the microphone use fix is updating WhatsApp to the latest version. Google says, we thank WhatsApp for their partnership and apologize for any confusion this bug may have caused users.
When WhatsApp was blamed for illegally using the microphone, it believed that it was a “bug on Android that mis-attributes information in their Privacy Dashboard” instead of the application accessing the microphone more than needed/requested.
WhatsApp Beta now lets you scan documents with camera

WhatsApp has just released a new beta update, which brings a helpful new feature that allows users to scan documents using their phone’s camera right inside the app. The new beta update arrives with version 2.25.19.21.
In a previous beta update, WhatsApp announced it was working on a document scanning feature. Now, that feature is being tested with some beta users.
The new WhatsApp feature allows users to scan physical documents, such as papers or forms, using the camera. Once scanned, the document is turned into a PDF file that can be shared with your contacts through WhatsApp.
This makes the process of sharing documents much easier. You no longer need to use a separate scanning app or tool. Everything can be done within WhatsApp, you just need to open the scanner >> take a picture of your document >> send it as a PDF.

Image via WABetaInfo
WhatsApp’s document scanner feature is especially useful for students, office workers, or anyone who needs to send documents quickly. Right now, the document scanning feature is only available to some beta testers.
If you are part of the Google Play Beta Program and update WhatsApp to version 2.25.19.21, you might see this new option in your app. Since the feature is still being tested, it may not show up for everyone right away.
WhatsApp is expected to improve the feature before making it available to all users in a future update. For now, beta users get the first look at this helpful new tool. Stay tuned.
WhatsApp launches AI chat summarize feature, rolling out in the US

WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature, Message Summaries, to help users quickly catch up on unread messages. This feature uses AI to provide a short summary of missed or unread messages, saving you the time of reading every single one.
Currently, the Message Summaries feature of WhatsApp is available to users in the United States who use English. WhatsApp plans to expand the feature to other languages and countries in the coming months. The feature works on both Android and iOS.
Messages Summaries
With Message Summaries, users can get a quick overview of unread messages in both individual and group chats. Instead of scrolling through every message, users can simply tap a summary button.
When new WhatsApp messages come in, a summary button will appear. Tapping this button gives you a summary of the messages, which helps you understand the main points without going through each one.

Image via WhatsApp
Aside from this, WhatsApp uses Private Processing technology, which ensures that the AI creates summaries without privacy. The data is processed securely in an encrypted environment, so your privacy is fully protected.
This feature is optional and is off by default. You can choose to turn it on or off anytime you like. You can also control which chats can use this feature through the Advanced Chat Privacy settings to give you full control over your experience.
It is currently live for limited users, and more users will be able to take advantage of this feature soon. Stay tuned
WhatsApp bringing secure AI tool to summarize messages

WhatsApp has added a new AI feature in its latest beta update for Android with beta version 2.25.18.18. The new tool uses AI to create short summaries of unread messages on WhatsApp to make it easier for users to stay updated in busy chats and group conversations.
The AI-based Message Summaries feature helps users quickly understand what they missed without having to scroll through all the messages on WhatsApp. When many unread messages appear in a chat, a new button shows up. Tapping this button gives a short, private summary of the messages.
It works in both personal chats and group chats. The summary is created by Meta AI, but it is made using a special system known as Private Processing. This means the message data is not stored, shared, or read by WhatsApp or Meta. Everything happens securely on your device, and your messages stay private.
The feature is optional. You can turn it on or off in WhatsApp settings under Private Processing. Also, if Advanced Chat Privacy is turned on in a chat, the summary feature will be disabled for better privacy.
This feature is currently rolling out to some beta testers who use the WhatsApp beta app on Android. More users will get access in the coming weeks through future updates on the Google Play Store.
WhatsApp Beta lets you show both your photo and Avatar on profile

WhatsApp is continuously working to add new features and improvements to help users express themselves better. In the latest Android beta update, version 2.25.18.14, WhatsApp is testing a fun new feature that lets you add an Avatar to your profile.
In earlier versions, users could replace their profile photo with an avatar. But now, WhatsApp is taking it a step further. With the new update, you can keep your real profile photo and add an avatar alongside it, similar to Instagram.
Once you go to the avatar settings, you’ll see a new option to add your avatar to your profile. You can select a background color and choose an animation to make your avatar more fun and personal. After that, your profile will show both your photo and your avatar.
When someone opens your chat info screen, they’ll see a cool coin flip animation. This animation switches between your profile photo and your animated avatar.
Moreover, you can also change or remove the avatar anytime. You’re in full control, and you can update the look, background, or pose whenever you want.
This avatar feature is currently available to some beta testers who install the latest WhatsApp beta for Android from the Google Play Store. WhatsApp plans to roll it out to more users over the coming weeks.
WhatsApp Beta lets you manage who can reshare your status

WhatsApp is testing a helpful new feature for status updates in its latest beta update for Android. With beta version 2.25.18.9 of WhatsApp, users can now choose whether others can forward or reshare their status.
Until now, if you posted a status on WhatsApp, others couldn’t really share it unless you were mentioned in it. But now, with the new feature, you can choose to let your contacts reshare your status updates, only if you want to.
When creating a status, you’ll see a new option to allow or block resharing. This setting is turned off by default, which means no one can reshare your status unless you enable it. You can decide this for each status you post.
If resharing is turned on, your contacts can forward your status to their contacts, helping your message reach more people. This is an amazing feature for those who want to spread messages more widely.
In addition, WhatsApp is still focusing on your privacy. People who receive a reshared status won’t see who originally posted it, and your phone number or name won’t be shared outside your contacts. Also, if someone reshared your status and then someone else reshared it again, only the last person gets notified.
This new reshare feature is currently available only to some WhatsApp beta testers on Android. If you’re part of the beta program through the Google Play Store, you might already see this option. WhatsApp plans to release it to more users in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information.
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