WhatsApp status gets Instagram-style makeover with enhanced privacy options

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Meta-owned instant messaging app WhatsApp is going to make another big change to improve the experience of its millions of users. If you too are worried about privacy while posting WhatsApp status, then this news is a relief for you. According to reports, WhatsApp will soon be adding a 'Close Friends' feature like Instagram in its status section. After the introduction of this feature, users will be able to easily share their personal photos or videos with only their selected friends or family instead of the entire contact list.

The hassle of changing settings again and again will end

The biggest advantage of this new feature is that users will no longer have to repeatedly change privacy settings for each status. Currently, if you want to hide a status from a specific group or show it only to a few people, you have to go into the settings and make changes. But with the 'Close Friends' feature, you will be able to create your own list once and, like Instagram, share your status with only that circle in one tap. This feature is considered an important step towards giving users more control and a personal experience.

Testing started in beta version

According to a feature tracker, this new option was spotted during testing in version 2.26.5.13 of WhatsApp Beta for Android. This feature is currently in development, so the company hasn't announced an official launch date yet. Typically, WhatsApp tests any new feature first with beta testers and only rolls it out to all users after receiving positive feedback. It's expected that this feature will arrive on your phone in some upcoming updates.

Identification will be done by different colour rings

The report states that users will be able to create their Close Friends list in two ways: one through Settings and the other directly from the Status screen. When you update a status for this list, the viewer will see a different colored ring around your profile photo. This ring will work similarly to the green ring on Instagram. It will indicate that the user hasn't made the status public, but has instead designated it as part of their "special list." WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a subscription plan that could offer features like premium stickers and themes.