PTA, Meta Introduce Dual-OTP Security Feature to Curb WhatsApp Account Hacking in Pakistan
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has joined forces with Meta to introduce an enhanced security feature aimed at reducing unauthorized access to WhatsApp accounts. The move comes in response to a sharp rise in digital fraud and account hijacking incidents.
The newly developed system adds an extra layer of protection through a dual One-Time Password (OTP) mechanism. If a user’s initial verification code is leaked or unknowingly shared, a backup OTP is automatically issued. By entering this secondary code, users can quickly recover their accounts and block unauthorized access. The additional code, referred to as “Meta OTP,” is generated approximately three minutes after the first OTP.
According to PTA officials, technical-level coordination between the authority and Meta has already been completed, while final consultations are expected soon. Pakistan has been selected as the pilot country for the rollout, with plans to expand the feature globally at a later stage. Meta reportedly approved the initiative after reviewing concerns related to the growing number of compromised accounts.
Regulators have highlighted a surge in WhatsApp-related scams, where criminals often pose as delivery personnel, company representatives, or service providers to trick users into revealing verification codes. Once access is gained, fraudsters typically target the victim’s contact list to solicit money or carry out identity-based financial scams. The new security upgrade is expected to significantly reduce such risks by limiting the effectiveness of OTP-based social engineering attacks.
