The report states that WhatsApp may soon allow users to hide their online status. A screenshot shared by WaBetaInfo shows that the feature is under a lot of development.
How will the feature work?
Users will have the option to choose with whom they can share their last seen status. WhatsApp will add two new options – “Everyone” and “Same Last Seen”. The report explains how this feature will work. You can choose “My Contacts” for “Last Seen” and “Same as Last Seen” online. This will ensure that anyone who is not on your contact list will not be able to see whether you are online or not.
The screenshot shared by WaBetaInfo is on the beta version of WhatsApp iOS, However, this feature is expected to come to WhatsApp Android And desktop too. It is not yet known when this feature will be rolled out as this feature has not even appeared in the beta version of the app.
Last year, WhatsApp introduced a similar feature, but meant to change how users interact with businesses. In December 2021, WhatsApp revealed that it was “making it harder for people you don’t know and chat with from seeing your last and online presence on WhatsApp.” However, this was for someone who had never messaged before. In case, a user had a conversation with someone, they could see when they were online.