Downloading image with WhatsApp could be dangerous although
I have hear that news but I think it's only for the old version of the WhatsApp currently no such issue.
Except if we are opening the Exe and Apk file or some bat file

But yes surely scary to think that even something as Simple as that's opening a photo can put your privacy and funds at risk generally it's trick I will say to open the exe and apk file

I think we should not download any .apk or .exe even if it looks harmless we should always download from offical sources
But yes to take precaution I definitely check my WhatsApp setting & stop automatic download Better safe than sorry 😀