Get all chats with unread messages and their recent messages in one call. Returns each unread chat with its name, unread count, and the last N messages. Contacts with multiple WhatsApp identities are automatically unified into a single view. Use this for a quick \
AI agents call get_unread_messages to retrieve information from Whatsapp without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This is a Read operation as it queries and retrieves message data without altering, deleting, or executing any actions. Severity is medium rather than low because unread messages may contain sensitive personal or business information, and bulk retrieval of message context could expose private communications if misused by an agent without proper consent verification.
From the tool's definition Tool retrieves unread messages and chat data ('Get all chats with unread messages and their recent messages'). Uses verb 'Get' indicating data retrieval with no modification or deletion described.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get all chats with unread messages and their recent messages in one call. Returns each unread chat with its name, unread count, and the last N messages. Contacts with multiple WhatsApp identities are automatically unified into a single view. Use this for a quick \. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Whatsapp MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Whatsapp MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_unread_messages: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Whatsapp. Nothing to install.
get_unread_messages is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_unread_messages rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_unread_messages. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_unread_messages is provided by the Whatsapp MCP server (@sjawhar/whatsapp-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
get_unread_messages is one line of Whatsapp's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →