WhatsApp is making big strides in protecting user privacy with a new feature currently in beta testing. This update aims to prevent unauthorized contacts from taking screenshots of your profile picture, giving users better control over how their image is shared online.

According to WABetaInfo, the new screenshot blocking feature is currently available to select beta testers on version 2.24.4.25 of the Android app and will be rolled out more broadly in the coming weeks. When someone attempts to screenshot a contact’s profile picture, a black screen will appear with a notification that reads: “Can’t take a screenshot due to app restrictions.”

This update builds upon a change that WhatsApp implemented five years ago, removing the ability to save other users’ profile photos directly. However, people could still easily save images by simply taking a screenshot. The new screenshot blocking feature tackles this issue directly and makes it significantly harder for users to casually share profile pictures, thus protecting user privacy.

While this feature is still in beta testing and might take some time to reach all users, there are other options available today to protect your privacy within the app. You can take small measures such as changing your profile photo privacy settings so that it could only be seen by whomever you choose. While this is also not foolproof, it is another way in which you could potentially discourage bad actors from violating your privacy and using your likeness for unauthorized purposes.

Stay tuned for the wide release of this exciting new feature that puts users’ privacy first!