diff --git a/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go b/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
index ec03d15..06254db 100644
--- a/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
+++ b/models/collaborative_area/collaborative_area.go
@@ -70,9 +70,9 @@ func (ao *CollaborativeArea) Clear(peerID string) {
 }
 
 func (ao *CollaborativeArea) VerifyAuth(peerID string, groups []string) bool {
-	if ao.AllowedPeersGroup != nil && len(ao.AllowedPeersGroup) > 0 {
-		if grps, ok := ao.AllowedPeersGroup[peerID]; ok {
-			if slices.Contains(grps, "*") {
+	if ao.AllowedPeersGroup != nil && len(ao.AllowedPeersGroup) > 0 || config.GetConfig().Whitelist {
+		if grps, ok := ao.AllowedPeersGroup[peerID]; ok || config.GetConfig().Whitelist {
+			if slices.Contains(grps, "*") || (!ok && config.GetConfig().Whitelist) {
 				return true
 			}
 			for _, grp := range grps {