(Image source from: Wikipedia)

The instant messaging application WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, is reportedly working on a fingerprint authentication feature to protect users' chats from being seen by others.

According to WABetaInfo, a fan site that tests new WhatsApp features beforehand, the feature is currently under development in Beta for Android 2.19.3 version.

"After working to implement Face ID and Touch ID features on iOS (that aren't available yet for development reasons), WhatsApp has finally started to work on the Authentication feature on Android, using your Fingerprint!" said the report on Tuesday.

The new feature 'fingerprint authentication' will be accessible within the app under a new section.

Once you enable the fingerprint feature, your WhatsApp will be entirely protected from others to be seen. "The user will need to authenticate his identity in order to open WhatsApp (from the app icon, from the notification or from external pickers). It will protect the entire app, so it's not used to lock specific conversations," the report added. 

This feature would be available in future for any Android user (and later for iOS users too) having Android Marshmallow and newer operating systems and a fingerprint sensor.

-Sowmya Sangam