Meta is developing a call-filtering feature for WhatsApp on Android that would allow the application to automatically answer calls from unknown numbers, ask callers to state their purpose, and display a real-time transcription on the user's screen — giving the user the option to decide whether to take the call.

According to information published by specialist portal WABetaInfo, the feature is designed to improve the existing system for silencing calls from numbers not saved in a user's contacts list, enabling more flexible privacy management and reducing the risk of missing legitimate calls.

WhatsApp currently allows users to automatically silence calls from unknown numbers. While this option helps reduce interruptions from unwanted contacts, it can also cause users to miss important calls — such as those from couriers or service providers.

The new feature is expected to offer three filtering options. The first would disable the filter entirely, accepting calls from any number. The second would retain the current behaviour, silencing calls from unknown numbers. The third would introduce an automatic screening system, through which the application answers the call and asks the caller to explain the reason for their contact.

Under this third option, the system would convert the caller's response into text, allowing the user to assess whether the call warrants answering.

According to the company, transcription processing would be carried out on the device itself — an approach intended to protect user privacy by avoiding the transmission of audio to external servers.

The feature remains under development and has no official launch date. Conceptually, it resembles call-screening systems already available on competing mobile platforms, including Apple's iOS 26.

Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=554460