WhatsApp Rolls Out Advanced Proxy Settings to Beta Testers

WhatsApp's advanced proxy setting has entered a new stage of development.

The company behind the secure messaging app recently rolled out its advanced proxy configuration settings with its chat and media settings, allowing some beta testers to test it themselves.

WhatsApp previously launched the feature in early January, though it didn't have the advanced features the company is adding to the feature at a later date.

WhatsApp Advanced Proxy Settings Details

WhatsApp has been quite busy developing new features for its messaging app, and its beta for Android 2.23.13.10 is no different - it contains a feature the company is working on for beta testing. What's different with this update is the feature it contains.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is rolling out advanced proxy configuration settings for chats and media sent through the app, adding more nuance to the app's proxy support.

You may recall that WhatsApp launched proxy support for WhatsApp users worldwide on Jan. 5, giving its users the ability to maintain their access to WhatsApp if their connection is blocked or disrupted, such as in countries where government censorship is prevalent.

For those unaware, a proxy or proxy server is a system or router providing a gateway between users and the internet, preventing cyber attackers from entering a private network and allowing users to open located-restricted websites, per Fortinet.

The feature has changed since then - WhatsApp's proxy support consisted of only a toggle that would allow people to maintain access to WhatsApp and its services without discriminating between chats media sent between users. With the feature the company is having beta testers try for themselves, it is now possible to configure the app's proxy ports.

Setting a specific port on the app usually isolates the traffic from other network services running on different ports, ensuring the proxy's independent operation without conflicts with other applications. The advanced configurations also provide the organization implementing the proxy a chance to apply firewall rules or access controls that further restrict connections only through the designated port, which enhances security and control over access.

A Tagalong Feature

Aside from the advanced proxy configuration settings, Whatsapp beta for Android 2.23.13.10 also comes with a new option called Transport Layer Security (TLS), which provides users with "enhanced security for communication over a network."

Enabling TLS for a proxy port guarantees that data transmitted between the client and the proxy is always encrypted, though WhatsApp's messages remain end-to-end encrypted even if a user chooses to use a proxy with TLS disabled.

Interestingly, some beta testers could also export their proxy configuration to their contacts, sharing them in the process.

It is still unknown when WhatsApp will release its advanced proxy configuration settings and its TLS options for its proxies. However, with the feature already being tried by beta testers, it could be a matter of months or years before it gets released in a future WhatsApp update.