WhatsApp is in the process of testing a new feature designed to enable users to quickly conduct a reverse image search on images they receive in chats. Currently available only to beta testers on Android, this functionality aims to assist users in identifying potentially manipulated or misleading media. The full rollout to all users is anticipated in the future.
WhatsApp Introduces ‘Search on Web’ Feature for Image Lookup in Android Beta
In the latest update for the WhatsApp beta version 2.24.23.13 on Android, the messaging platform has integrated a reverse image search option within its media viewer. This feature becomes accessible once an image is opened in a chat, prompting user confirmation to upload the image for the search.
To utilize this new functionality, users must update to the latest WhatsApp beta for Android. After opening a chat and selecting an image, they can access the three-dot menu at the top of the screen and choose the options Search on web followed by Search. However, initial testing by staff members at Gadgets 360 indicated that the feature may require server-side activation, as they could not access it even after updating to the latest version.
This new image lookup tool offers users a substantial upgrade over previous cosmetic updates, allowing for rapid identification of the source of images. With just a couple of taps, individuals can discover identical or similar images online or evaluate whether the images they received have been altered, a common means of disseminating misinformation.
It’s important to note that the lookup function relies on Google’s reverse image search and that WhatsApp ensures user privacy, stating that the platform does not access images at any point during the process of sending them for analysis. Currently available to select beta testers, the reverse image search feature is expected to be implemented for all users in due course.
