Now Reading: WhatsApp replaces PIN with passwords, adds multi-passkey support
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WhatsApp replaces PIN with passwords, adds multi-passkey support
WhatsApp has replaced its six-digit PIN for two-step verification with a full password, letting users add letters, numbers and special characters. The password must be at least eight characters and include one…
WhatsApp has replaced its six-digit PIN for two-step verification with a full password, letting users add letters, numbers and special characters. The password must be at least eight characters and include one number and one letter. Users can set it up under Settings > Account > Password.
The platform now supports multiple passkeys per account, using Face ID, fingerprint or screen lock instead of SMS codes. WhatsApp says over one billion people have already set up a passkey. Android users also get caller context: when an unknown number rings, WhatsApp shows the caller's country and any shared groups.
The changes aim to reduce account takeovers and phishing. Cybersecurity expert Joseph Steinberg told Livemint that the caller context helps identify suspicious callers. Users should enable two-step verification and a passkey on compatible devices.
Indian Opinion Analysis
All three outlets report the same facts: WhatsApp replacing PINs with passwords, expanding passkey support to multiple devices, and adding caller-context information for Android. Livemint and The Hindu mention expert input and a company blog post, Gadgets360 leads with the milestone of one billion passkey users. No outlet frames the update as inadequate or critical of the platform, the coverage is uniform straight reporting. The practical question is how many users switch from six-digit PINs to strong passwords, since weak passwords can undermine the intended security gain. WhatsApp's passkey count gives a baseline: one billion users already authenticated that way before the password option launched. Adoption numbers over the next quarter will show whether users trade convenience for stronger protection.
Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral
Sources (3): livemint.com (neutral report), gadgets360.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
