New WhatsApp feature will stop snitching on your Last Seen status
Update currently rolling out to iOS and Android phones
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WhatsAppis rolling out newsecurity featuresthat let you have more granular control over who can and can’t see certain account details.
Thesettings affected on your WhatsApp accountare the Profile Photo, About description, and Last Seen status. You can now decide whom amongst your contacts can see those three details. Control over Last Seen, in particular, is a functionality that has been in the workssince November 2021. That level of control is being expanded to the other two settings.
Hidden details
Prior to this security update, you could either let the public see those particular account details, restrict access to just contacts, or prevent everyone from knowing. And you don’t have to worry about the rest of your contacts as everyone not restricted will be to see that information just fine.
With the new update, be aware that when you restrict your Last Seen status to a certain person, you won’t be able to see their status either. This update is arriving on both Android and iOS. You can check if you have the update by going to Settings onWhatsApp, then selecting Account, and then Privacy.
If you click Profile Photo, for example, you should see a new entry that reads “My contacts except…”. That is the new update where you can select who can see your details. If you don’t have it, it’s recommended that you update WhatsApp. We couldn’t get confirmation from WhatsApp if this feature will release globally.
Snuck-in features
On top of the security updates, WhatsApp also snuck in three new group call features. You can now mute or message specific people on a call. There will also be a new indicator that pops up from the bottom of the screen whenever someone joins a large-scale call. This information came from theTwitter account of Will Cathcartwho is the Head of WhatsApp.
As for upcoming features, WhatsApp news siteWABetaInfo has spotted a new beta for Android phoneswhich is referred to as Android 2.22.14.6. The beta has a new management feature called “Group Membership Approval”.
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According to WABetaInfo, the feature allows group creators to have control over who can be allowed into a chat. Group chat members can invite others into the room, but those extra people must be approved by the creator. Group Membership Approval can reportedly be turned on by going into the group chat setting. WABetaInfo alsodiscovered new gender-neutral emojisin the beta.
If you’re interested in trying out the beta, you can join theGoogle Play Beta Programright now and download 2.22.14.6 on your device. Earlier this week, TechRadar covered another WhatsApp feature that makes iteasy to transfer data from Android to iOS.
Cesar Cadenas has been writing about the tech industry for several years now specializing in consumer electronics, entertainment devices, Windows, and the gaming industry. But he’s also passionate about smartphones, GPUs, and cybersecurity.
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