The right one can perk up your mood in an instant. And, well, a doltish one can really rattle. Such is the power of WhatsApp notifications. Convenience aside, WhatsApping away might seem like a stellar and super quick platform to keep in touch. But, with the ease of availability comes a monster of a peril, which not many users seem to understand — being added without consent. When was the last time you found yourself added to a group out of the blue? As per a popular report, “The fact that anybody’s mobile number can be put in a WhatsApp group, even without the consent of the owner is alarming by itself. Even if the mobile owner exits the group manually, he or she can be added back to the group.”

A number of first time users may not even realise that WhatsApp messages are not authentic, and give it an authority that it does not possess. Nor do they realise that even videos and photos are subject to malicious manipulation.’ We delve deeper...

No way out, but caution needs to prevail: While there isn’t a fail-safe way to ensure you aren’t sucked into being added, the onus of safety is upon the admin. Speaking of the precautionary measures taken against having unsolicited members getting free access, which can pose as a potential threat, to relevant members; Renukesh Bingeri, one of the admins of the WhatsApp Forum of the hugely popular Bengaluru Biryani Club, vouches by the rule of invites only. “This is a group of biryani lovers for biryani lovers. As a rule, we  will add people only who have come for events by the club. There are strict guidelines about things which are discussed there. Basic criteria to get added into the WhatsApp group is to attend an event.   And, I do clean up activities of group members who are inactive.”  Monika Jain, an admin of a popular WhatsApp group, Media Connect, believes in adding people in to the group via references.  “Personal contacts or network where we are sure they are from the same industry and will be good to add them. So that they can share the industry updates, knowledge and experience in order to help others and get help. Admins need to do some groundwork. It takes lesser than five minutes to get on Linkedin to check if the person you’re adding belongs to the industry you’ve made the group for. As an admin of a professional group, this is one of the elementary things I do to ensure the safety of my members.”

Users can be cautionary: Asha Krishnaswamy, a new media expert who holds a PhD in Social Media and Politics states, “There are pluses and minuses of social media and e-enabled services. We, the WhatsApp users, should be careful enough to identify unfamiliar groups/senders. We can always exit from unfamiliar groups. The choice is with the users. A certain amount of alertness is required. Also, self-restraint is required when it comes to forwarding WhatsApp messages. It is also time to list out the problems associated with WhatsApp and petition to the promoter  – Mark Zuckerberg– regarding the positive changes that would have to be brought in. After all India has a vast base for WhatsApp and Facebook users.”