Meta Rolls Out New Scam Alert Features on WhatsApp and Messenger to Protect Older Users

Meta is introducing a new wave of safety features across WhatsApp and Messenger, aimed specifically at protecting older adults from the growing threat of online scams. The updates mark one of Meta’s most targeted efforts yet to address digital fraud, especially as messaging apps become prime hunting grounds for social engineering and financial scams.

The company says the rollout will include new on-screen warnings, AI-assisted message detection, and broader awareness campaigns to help older users recognize and avoid scams before they happen.

How the new protections work

On WhatsApp, users will now see a warning whenever they attempt to share their screen with an unknown contact during a video call. This feature was designed in response to one of the most common scam tactics: tricking users into sharing sensitive information, banking details, or OTPs by convincing them to screen-share with fake “customer service” representatives.

Over on Messenger, Meta is testing an AI-driven scam detection system. When a user receives a suspicious message from a new contact, Messenger will flag it and ask if they want to submit recent messages for analysis. If the system detects patterns that resemble common scams, it alerts the user and provides advice on next steps, like blocking or reporting the sender.

Meta is also pairing these in-app protections with education and outreach campaigns, particularly in countries with large elderly populations. The company says it plans to partner with fraud prevention organizations to raise awareness and improve digital literacy among older adults.

Why Meta is targeting older users

Data shows that older adults remain the most financially vulnerable group in digital scams. A 2024 FTC report revealed that people aged 60 and above lost billions to fraud, often through social platforms. Many of these scams begin innocently, with a friendly message, a fake investment pitch, or an emotional story meant to build trust.

Meta’s new initiative reflects a growing recognition that age-related digital vulnerability requires proactive measures. Older users tend to trust online communications more readily, and may be less familiar with privacy settings or scam cues. The goal, according to Meta, is to build “smarter guardrails” into platforms that millions of older adults rely on daily to stay connected with family.

But can these tools actually work?

The features are well-intentioned, but their effectiveness will depend on how users respond to them. Alerts are only useful if they’re understood and trusted. Older users might dismiss warnings as yet another pop-up, or misunderstand what “sharing your screen” really exposes.

There are also privacy questions. On Messenger, the scam detection feature requires users to share parts of their chat history with Meta’s AI systems. While the company insists this data isn’t permanently stored, critics have raised concerns about weakening end-to-end encryption, even temporarily.

Another concern is accessibility. Meta hasn’t confirmed whether all these tools will be available globally at launch. Historically, new safety features reach North America and Europe first, with African markets following months later. That lag could leave millions of users, especially in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, without the protections that these updates promise.

Scams are evolving faster than detection

The rise of AI-generated scams has made it increasingly difficult for platforms to keep up. Voice cloning, fake profile photos, and highly personalized phishing messages are already challenging traditional security models.

Meta’s tools, while a strong step forward, might not be enough to fully counter this new wave of deception. Scammers evolve quickly, shifting tactics the moment a platform deploys new safeguards. Effective protection will require continuous updates and, just as importantly, user education that keeps pace with the threats.

What users can do right now

While Meta’s new systems are rolling out, users, especially older adults, should take a few simple precautions:

• Never share your screen or personal information with people you don’t know.

• Be skeptical of messages offering money, jobs, or investment opportunities.

• Keep your apps updated to get the latest security patches.

• Enable two-factor authentication on both WhatsApp and Messenger.

• Encourage older relatives or friends to verify before acting on unfamiliar messages.

Meta’s latest update won’t eliminate scams overnight, but it signals a welcome shift toward preventive safety, not just reactive enforcement. The company says it disrupted over 8 million scam-linked accounts in the first half of 2025 alone, a sign that online fraud remains one of the most persistent challenges in modern communication.

For now, the best defense remains awareness. Technology can assist, but vigilance, and conversation, will always be the first line of protection.