Can someone add you to a WhatsApp group without you knowing?

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This setting lets you set who can add you to groups and, by default, the setting is set to 'Everyone', which means that anyone with your phone number can add you to the group. It's important to note that even after changing the setting, group admins can still send you an invite link and prompt you to join the group.
Follow Step-By-Step Guide to Avoid Random People Adding You to the WhatsApp Group
Step-By-Step Guide For iPhone User
Can a stranger add you to WhatsApp group?
Why am I getting added to random group chat on WhatsApp?
How can I stop strangers adding me in WhatsApp group?
How can I join a group on WhatsApp without anyone knowing?

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Ivan Mehta

Ivan covers Big Tech, India, policy, AI, security, platforms, and apps for TNW. That's one heck of a mixed bag. He likes to say "Bleh." Ivan covers Big Tech, India, policy, AI, security, platforms, and apps for TNW. That's one heck of a mixed bag. He likes to say "Bleh."

WhatsApp’s group conversations can be awfully annoying when you’re dragged into them without your consent. It’s finally rolled out a fix for that, in the form of a new setting that lets you choose who can add you to group chats – and thankfully, there’s also a way to put a stop to this nonsense entirely.

Here’s how you can enable it:

Open WhatsApp on your phone, and go to Settings > Accounts > Privacy.
Tap on Groups, and select the option that suits you best. The first one will prompt the user adding you to first send an invitation that you can approve:
– Nobody (this prevents anyone from adding you to a group without an invitation)
– My contacts (only your contacts can add you to a group without an invitation)
– Anyone (Anyone can add you to a group without an invitation)If you value your privacy, you’ll want to select either of the first two options.

WhatsApp’s new privacy feature to prevent anyone from adding you to a group without permission

My colleague Abhimanyu and I can confirm that it’s fairly common in India for complete strangers to add you to their groups without your permission. The issue is more important now, since the national elections are coming up and political parties are actively using the platform to spread their propaganda.

It doesn’t hurt that this new setting can also help you stay out of aggravating group conversations with your extended family, and those toxic friends from college you thought you’d finally left behind.

just got added to this pro-BJP group on WhatsApp by someone I don't know/isn't in my contacts list. pic.twitter.com/5cHWJl5pEl

— Abhimanyu Ghoshal (@aghoshal) February 21, 2019

A whole group of random people got added to a WhatsApp group from @almayaUAE @elGrocer do you realize this gave us all access to hundreds of numbers?! Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/uMHeXuQEcC
— Safiyya Mansoor (@SafiyyaLM) March 26, 2019

The privacy setting is rolling out to some users today, and will be available worldwide in a few weeks.

TNW Conference 2019 is coming! Check out our glorious new location, an inspiring line-up of speakers and activities, and how to be a part of this annual tech bonanza by clicking here.

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This setting lets you set who can add you to groups and, by default, the setting is set to 'Everyone', which means that anyone with your phone number can add you to the group. It's important to note that even after changing the setting, group admins can still send you an invite link and prompt you to join the group.

WhatsApp New Feature - How to Stop People From Adding You to the WhatsApp Group Chat; Check Step-By-Step Guide

The most used instant messaging app in social media platforms WhatsApp has introduced a new feature where people can’t add you to a group without your permission. WhatsApp groups are a great way to stay connected with your family, friends, or even co-workers. But many times, this facility is often taken advantage of by many people to add many people to the group to sell products or promote services. These groups are often created without the participants’ permission and can be irritating. Most of us hate being part of unnecessary groups and often consider whether it is rude to drop out of a group. The best way to get out of this is with a filter that will prevent strangers or anyone from adding you to an unknown group.

WhatsApp has made changes to the group chat settings for this. Through which you can further secure your privacy. By using the setting, you will not be able to add any user to the group without your permission. This feature has been updated by WhatsApp for Android users and iPhone users. This setting lets you set who can add you to groups and, by default, the setting is set to ‘Everyone’, which means that anyone with your phone number can add you to the group. It’s important to note that even after changing the setting, group admins can still send you an invite link and prompt you to join the group.

Follow Step-By-Step Guide to Avoid Random People Adding You to the WhatsApp Group

Open WhatsApp, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
Click on the Settings option and then tap on Account.
Click on Privacy > Groups. The default setting is likely to be set to ‘Everyone’.
You can choose from three options – ‘Everyone’, ‘My Contacts’, and ‘My Contacts Except’
The ‘Everyone’ option allows any user with your phone number to add you to a group without your permission.
The ‘My Contact’ option only allows users to add you to groups whose numbers you have saved in your contact list.
Whereas the last option ‘My Contacts Except’ lets you choose who can add you to groups by allowing you to further filter and remove contacts that you don’t want to be added to a group.

In this way, if you want that no person should add you to the group, even if you have a contact. So, by selecting ‘My Contacts Except’, you can keep a member of your family in it. Then no one will be able to add you to the WhatsApp group.

Step-By-Step Guide For iPhone User

If you are an iPhone user, you have to go to the settings of the app and tap on Privacy.
After tapping on this privacy, you need to tap on the group option.
For this, you will be given the option of (Everyone, My Contacts, and My Contacts Except) on the next screen.
Here you can choose the option according to you.

Topics

Can a stranger add you to WhatsApp group?

Step 2) In the WhatsApp Settings menu, tap on the Account setting. Now tap on Privacy and select the Groups option. Step 3) Check your privacy settings for the groups section. By default, the setting should be Everyone, but that means everyone can add you as long as they have your number.

Why am I getting added to random group chat on WhatsApp?

It is set by default to “Everyone”, which means everyone can add you to Whatsapp Groups without your consent and bombard your Whatsapp inbox with meaningful or spam messages.

How can I stop strangers adding me in WhatsApp group?

Click on Privacy > Groups. The default setting is likely to be set to 'Everyone'. The 'Everyone' option allows any user with your phone number to add you to a group without your permission. The 'My Contact' option only allows users to add you to groups whose numbers you have saved in your contact list.

How can I join a group on WhatsApp without anyone knowing?

Try https://whatsgrouplink.com/. First, click a category, then click a group inside that category and finally click Join Chat to join the group on WhatsApp.