WhatsApp may soon bring this Instagram-like feature to Status

Meta-owned WhatsApp is working on a new privacy feature that will let users share status updates only with a selected group of people, similar to a “close friends” list. According to WaBetaInfo, the feature is currently under development and has been spotted in recent WhatsApp beta updates for Android.

As per details found in WhatsApp beta versions 2.26.5.11 and 2.26.5.13 for Android, WhatsApp’s upcoming “close friends” list for status updates will allow users to choose specific contacts who can view selected status posts.

How WhatsApp’s ‘Close Friends’ feature may work

Once released, WhatsApp’s ‘Close Friends’ will allow users to better control who sees specific status updates without changing privacy settings every time. As per the report, users will be able to create and manage a close friends list by selecting contacts they trust.

This can be done either through status privacy settings or directly from the status posting screen. Once the list is created, users can choose the “Close Friends” option while sharing a status update, instead of sending it to all contacts.WhatsApp will allow users to add or remove people from the close friends list at any time, the report said adding any changes made will apply only to future status updates. If a contact is removed after a status has already been shared, they will still be able to view that specific update, it says.

As per the report, contacts added to the close friends list will see a different colored ring around the user’s profile photo when viewing a status. This will indicate that the update was shared specifically with them.WhatsApp’s close friends feature for status updates is still under development and will first be tested with a limited number of beta users. WhatsApp is expected to roll it out more widely in a future update.