Meta launches new tools and campaigns to help seniors avoid online scams

Meta has rolled out a series of innovative safety measures and awareness initiatives aimed at protecting users, especially seniors, from the rising threat of online scams and cyber fraud. This announcement marks a significant step in the company’s ongoing commitment to enhance safety across its platforms globally. A key feature introduced on WhatsApp is a warning system that alerts users when they attempt to share their screens with unfamiliar contacts during video calls. This feature is designed to thwart scammers who may try to extract sensitive information, such as banking details or verification codes. In addition, Messenger is piloting a sophisticated scam detection system that flags potentially suspicious messages from new contacts. When activated, users can submit recent conversations for an AI-assisted scam review. If a potential scam is identified, the system notifies users about prevalent fraud tactics and provides options to block or report the suspicious sender. Meta is also enhancing login security across Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp by allowing users to set up Passkeys, which enable secure access using biometric data like fingerprints, facial recognition, or a PIN. Furthermore, Facebook and Instagram have introduced a Security Checkup feature that guides users through essential steps to protect their accounts, while WhatsApp offers a Privacy Checkup to help users manage their privacy settings, including group addition permissions. In its efforts to collaborate with local authorities and industry partners, Meta has joined forces with India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to broaden the reach of the Scams Se Bacho campaign, which features multilingual videos aimed at educating seniors on how to recognize and report scams. The company continues to support the Saksham Senior initiative, which equips older adults with the knowledge to navigate the digital landscape confidently, covering topics such as technology use, scam prevention, and awareness of misinformation. This program is active in major Indian cities, providing workshops at senior living centers, clubs, and online. In an impressive report, Meta revealed that it had disrupted around 8 million accounts associated with scam operations across countries like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, the UAE, and the Philippines during the first half of 2025. Additionally, over 21,000 fraudulent pages and customer support accounts attempting to deceive users into disclosing personal information were removed. To further safeguard users, Meta advises caution regarding unsolicited messages or calls, discouraging the sharing of personal and financial information. The company also urges families to assist older relatives in recognizing scam tactics and to communicate before responding to any urgent or secretive requests.