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WhatsApp is changing-up age-old privacy settings for the better

The new feature will give users more flexibility in sharing their availability and personal information with contacts.
By
September 7, 2021
WhatsApp use in hand
TL;DR
  • WhatsApp is working on a new privacy option for last seen status, profile picture, and about info.
  • It should be available soon on both the Android and iOS versions of the app.

WhatsApp is making a change to one of its oldest privacy settings, giving users more flexibility in sharing their availability and personal information with other contacts.

The new feature headed to WhatsApp on Android and iOS will allow users of the messaging platform to hide their last seen status from specific contacts. This means that if you don’t want a particular person to see this information, you will be able to add them to a restricted list.

Related: The best WhatsApp alternatives you can get right now

Previously, you could only choose from “Everyone,” “My Contacts,” and “Nobody” in the privacy settings to tinker who can view your last seen information. The new feature will introduce a “My Contacts Except” option for disabling the last seen status for specific people. According to WaBetaInfo, this new option will also apply to other personal information such as profile pictures and the about info.

WhatsApp Last Seen Status new option

Of course, if you don’t share your last seen with someone, you will also not be able to see their last seen status.

The new privacy feature is currently under development and should roll out to WhatsApp beta testers very soon.