WhatsApp, the popular instant messaging app used by billions of people worldwide, is introducing a new feature. WhatsApp is now working on providing it’s users the feature to share their status with their close contacts, this is similar to the ‘close friends’ list feature on Instagram. This new update will initially roll-out as a beta and then as a stable feature.
As reported by WABetaInfo, which identified the change in WhatsApp’s TestFlight beta release, the platform will soon allow users to create a dedicated Close Friends list directly from the privacy settings.
What is the new feature?
Creating a ‘close friends’ list within the privacy settings screen is the main goal of this planned feature. Users can decide at the time of publishing whether to share a new status with their default audience or just their chosen close friends once this separate list is complete. Although earlier users could not share their status with a close contact list.
Similar to the feature on Instagram, these updates will be visually distinguished through a different colour, making it clear to anyone viewing that the status was shared only with close friends. Managing the close friends list is designed to be discreet.
How Will It Work?
The managing your Close Friends list will be very simple, accessible through privacy settings. Status updates shared with this group will have a distinct colour border similar to Instagram’s Close Friends feature, providing a visual cue that the content is for a personal audience. People can add or remove people from the list privately, without them receiving any notifications, allowing for discreet management.
If someone is added or removed from the list, they will not receive any notification about the change and the subsequent Status updates. In the event that a user updates the list after sharing a status with their close friends, the previous status will be available to those who were on the list at the time of publishing, and will not immediately include any newly added contacts.
The user would have to manually remove the status update and publish it again in order to implement the new settings for a status that was previously shared with close friends. Although it might take a little more work, this guarantees clarity and avoids inadvertent changes in visibility after a status has already been posted.
End-To-End Encryption!
Just like chats, status updates will remain secure and private with end-to-end encryption, giving control over who sees what. This feature enhances digital well-being, allowing for more authentic online interactions. This update is a step towards making online sharing more comfortable and secure.
