WhatsApp users can now hide their online status

Online privacy is something that most people are quite protective and social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp appear willing to give users what they want. WhatsApp is giving you more power over your account by letting you hide your online status, according to androidpolice.com

Extra privacy

WhatsApp, with over two billion users across the world, has a reputation for being proactive in its privacy approach. But many users will agree that although the app has made it easy to ignore messages, it would be even better to hide your online status from some of your contacts.

The team atWABetaInfo, a company that reports on WhatsApp Beta news for android and iOS said a new WhatsApp beta will make it possible for you to choose who can see you when you come online. In fact, some Beta testers of the yet-to-released update say they've received online status-related privacy options after updating to the 2.22.20.9 on Android.

As it stands now, your contacts can tell you are online once you log into the account, a not-so-ideal situation. Industry watchers say the new feature will work like the ‘Last Seen’ function that allows you to determine who knows when you were last active on the app.

Most requested feature

When the feature is rolled out, you will have two options: Everyone or Same as Last Seen. Although most users would prefer to apply this to all contacts, this is undoubtedly a vast improvement on what currently exists. According to WABetaInfo:

WhatsApp plans to introduce a new section within Privacy Settings > Last Seen. In this section, you will be able to decide who can see when you're online thanks to two options: everyone and 'same as last seen.

If you are keen on hiding your online status, WhatsApp wants you to be aware that you won’t be able to see other people’s either. But that won’t be a problem for most users as this is one of the most-requested features. It will be made available to all users after the trial period.

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