Khaberni - WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has started testing a new privacy feature that allows users to share Status updates with only a selected group of contacts, reminiscent of Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature.
This feature, appearing in the latest beta releases of the app on Android, provides users with greater control over who can see their Status updates, instead of sharing them with all contacts in the default list.
How it works
According to tech reports, the new feature enables users to create a custom list of people who can see their Status updates. Thus, when posting a new Status, the user can choose the audience type from multiple options such as sharing it with all contacts, excluding certain people, sharing only with a specific list, or the new “Close Friends” option.
This list is similar to Instagram’s Close Friends feature, where users can specify a narrow circle of people to see specific content, helping to enhance privacy and make sharing more private without needing to adjust settings each time.
Development stage
The feature is still in beta testing and has not been officially launched yet, which means users might need to wait a few weeks before it becomes available in the stable version of the app.
It is expected that the trial will include the ability to easily manage and edit the “Close Friends” list, where users can add or remove people according to their preference without notifying them.
It should be noted that the “Close Friends” feature isn’t the first one that WhatsApp has drawn inspiration from Instagram, as the app has previously integrated several features and enhancements like new ways to share statuses, multiple interaction tools, and continues to expand its options to make the experience more interactive and personalized for users.
Additional tools
In conclusion, it's worth noting that WhatsApp is also working on additional tools in the Status section such as custom view settings, improvements in the sharing menu and notifications, as part of its efforts to remain competitive in the messaging and social networking market.
If the feature is officially launched, it will provide users with greater flexibility in sharing their daily content, especially for those who prefer to maintain privacy in their updates with known contacts only. It could also enhance the sense of security and trust among users in using the “Status” feature more broadly and in a more customized manner.
