Re-design
Designing for High-Risk
User Security
A 3-week project focused on making a sensitive new feature easy to understand and trust.
THE PROBLEM
WhatsApp launched Defense Mode to protect high-risk users. But adoption was low, many didn’t understand what it did or why they should use it.
This put users at risk and raised concerns about WhatsApp’s credibility in protecting them.
THE SOLUTION
I simplified a sensitive security feature so users could easily understand it, and trust it enough to turn it on.
Design Process
Making a Complex Feature Clear and Trustworthy
The existing experience left users confused about what Defense Mode was.
The flow and IA made it difficult for users to understand Defense Mode, and the messaging wasn’t clear about its purpose or benefits.
The design goal was to simplify a complex feature so users would trust and use it.
How might we...
Clearly show which settings Defense Mode controls
How might we..
Help users understand what Defense Mode is and why it matters
How might we...
Explain the tradeoffs of using Defense Mode
Explorations
What Defense mode is and why it matters
Dedicated screen
Use a dedicated page to explain what it is and what it means for users.
Highlight target
Clarify which users will benefit most from Defense Mode.
List key benefits
Highlight the advantages to help users see why it matters.
Show all settings
Make visible what exactly Defense Mode controls to improve understanding.
Explorations
Tradeoffs of Defense Mode
Placed important info immediately under the toggle to catch attention.
Put a short alert above the toggle to highlight trade-offs before users enable it.
Grouped only the negative effects together so they stand out clearly.
Explorations
Clearly show settings Defense Mode controls
Master switch
Placed the toggle above the settings it controls and made it stand out, so it’s clear it turns them all on.
Reduce content
Removed long explanations and only showed extra info when needed.
Keep switch in view
Used a sticky footer so the Defense Mode switch stays on screen, helping users see it controls the full page.
Show instant change
Used animations or toggling feedback to help users see settings turn on in real-time when Defense Mode is enabled.
The need for a new component
The Global Switch was essential to simplifying the experience, but no existing components met the need. I worked with the design system team to design a new control for scenarios where multiple settings are activated with a switch
FINAL DESIGN
Simplifying Security for Users
Through thoughtful content design and simplified language, the experience now feels informative, trustworthy, and not overwhelming.
The Final Solution
Guided clarity
Introduced Defense Mode in a clear, step-by-step way, helping users first grasp its purpose before diving deeper into how it protects them.
Unified control
Brought all advanced privacy settings together under one powerful, high-contrast toggle, making security simple, visible, and easy to activate.
Transparent communication:
Boldly highlighted who benefits from Defense Mode, what it does, and the important tradeoffs, helping users to make informed decisions.
User-first language:
Crafted clear, approachable messaging that builds trust and removes confusion, turning a complex security feature into one users understand