Meta introduces advanced online safety measures
Meta has announced a suite of new anti-scam features and awareness initiatives aimed at helping users stay safe online, with a particular focus on protecting senior citizens from cyber fraud and online scams. The social media giant emphasized that cross-border criminal networks continue to exploit platforms at scale, using sophisticated schemes to target individuals globally.
On WhatsApp, Meta is introducing warnings for users attempting to share their screens with unknown contacts during video calls. The company cautioned that “scammers may pressure their targets to share their screen to trick people into giving away sensitive information, including bank details or verification codes,” adding, “With this new tool, we're giving users more context to spot and avoid scams.”
For Messenger, Meta is testing more advanced scam detection in chats. Users receiving a “potentially scammy message” from a new contact will be warned and given the option to send recent chat messages for an AI-powered scam review. If a potential scam is confirmed, users will receive information on common scams and suggested actions, including blocking or reporting suspicious accounts. Meta stated, “When this is enabled and a new contact sends a potentially scammy message, users will be warned and given an option to send recent chat messages for AI scam review.”
Meta is also encouraging stronger account security across its platforms. On Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, users can now set up Passkeys, which allow safer sign-ins using fingerprints, facial recognition, or PINs already stored on their devices. On Facebook and Instagram, the Security Checkup feature guides users through reviewing their security settings and provides actionable recommendations, such as updating passwords. WhatsApp’s Privacy Checkup helps users manage key privacy settings, including deciding who can add them to groups, allowing users to select the right level of protection in one place.
Highlighting the scale of the problem, Meta observed that cross-border criminal networks “continue to operate at scale globally and use sophisticated schemes to target people, including older adults, across many industries through messaging, dating apps, social media, crypto, and other apps.” In the first half of 2025, the company’s expert teams detected and disrupted approximately 8 million accounts linked to scam centres across Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Philippines. Furthermore, “we took action on over 21,000 pages and accounts pretending to be customer support in an attempt to trick people into sharing their information,” Meta said.
Meta emphasized its ongoing commitment to safeguarding users: “We continue to look for and block attempts by criminal syndicate-run scam centres to create accounts on our platforms.” Despite these proactive measures, experts note that scammers continually adapt their tactics, meaning users must remain vigilant and take full advantage of security tools and guidance offered by the platforms.
These new measures are part of Meta’s broader effort to create safer online environments, particularly for senior citizens, who are often more vulnerable to digital fraud. By combining AI-driven detection, user warnings, and improved security settings, Meta aims to reduce scams while providing actionable guidance to help users protect their personal information.