WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will change how status updates are shared. This update focuses on improving privacy and giving users better control over who can see their status posts. Every day, people share photos, short videos, and quick thoughts through WhatsApp Status. But not every update is meant for all contacts. Sometimes, users want to share something only with a few trusted people.
To solve this problem, WhatsApp is developing a new option that allows status updates to be shared with selected contacts only. This feature aims to make status sharing safer, easier, and more personal.
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What Is the New WhatsApp Status Privacy Feature?
The upcoming feature is based on custom audience lists. This means users will be able to create specific groups of contacts and choose who can view their status updates. Instead of adjusting privacy settings every time, users can simply select a saved list and post their status instantly.
At the moment, this feature is still under development. It is expected to arrive first for beta users before being released to everyone. The goal is to simplify status sharing while giving users stronger privacy control.
A “Close Friends” Style Option for Private Sharing
One of the most useful parts of this update is a Close Friends–like option. With this, users can create a small group of trusted contacts and share personal updates only with them. Similar features already exist on other social platforms, where people prefer sharing private moments with a limited audience.
There may also be a visual indicator, such as a different-colored ring around the status, to show that the update is shared with a selected group. This makes status sharing feel more personal and reduces the risk of posting something to the wrong audience.
No More Repeating Privacy Changes
Right now, hiding a status from certain contacts requires manually changing privacy settings each time. This can be annoying and time-consuming. The new custom audience lists will remove this hassle completely.
Once a list is created, it can be reused anytime. This makes posting faster and more comfortable, especially for users who frequently share private updates. Overall, this change will make WhatsApp Status easier to use while offering better privacy protection.
WhatsApp’s Ongoing Focus on User Privacy
This update is part of WhatsApp’s broader effort to strengthen privacy across the platform. Over time, the app has introduced tools that help users control who can see their information. Audience settings are becoming easier to access, and safety features like blocking unknown contacts and improving account protection continue to grow.
These improvements show that WhatsApp is committed to long-term privacy, not just one-time updates.
Why This Update Matters for Users
WhatsApp Status is a popular way to share daily moments quickly. However, not every update is meant for family, friends, coworkers, and casual contacts at the same time. Custom audience lists help users separate these groups and share content more thoughtfully.
This reduces awkward situations and lowers the chance of personal content being seen by the wrong people. In today’s digital world, having clear privacy control is becoming increasingly important for smartphone users.
When Will This Feature Be Available?
The feature is currently being tested, and there is no official release date yet. Usually, WhatsApp rolls out new features to beta users first and then releases them widely after testing.
Once it becomes available, users will need to update their app to access the new status privacy options. This feature is expected to be especially useful for people who prefer sharing content in a controlled and secure way.
Also read: How to Mute Someone on WhatsApp Without Blocking Them
Final Thoughts
WhatsApp continues to improve user safety through small but meaningful updates. The introduction of custom audience lists for status sharing is another positive step in that direction. It allows users to share moments with the right people, reduces privacy concerns, and makes posting statuses more convenient.
As digital privacy becomes more important than ever, this update helps users stay connected while feeling more secure about what they share.

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