WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that could make status sharing more transparent by allowing users to review the privacy settings of a status update after it has been posted. The feature, currently available to a limited set of beta testers, is designed to help users clearly understand who can view their status and how sharing permissions are applied.
Early reports indicate that the feature introduces an “Audience” summary within the status viewer interface. This summary provides a concise breakdown of visibility settings, mentions, and sharing permissions associated with a particular status update.
While the feature is still under testing and not yet officially announced, it signals WhatsApp’s continued focus on improving privacy controls and user awareness across its platform.
What the New Feature Does
The upcoming feature is intended to address a common gap in WhatsApp’s current status system. Although users can choose privacy settings before posting a status, there is currently no simple way to verify those settings once the update is live.
With the new update, users can open the viewers list of a posted status and access an “Audience” option. Tapping this option reveals a detailed privacy summary that explains exactly who can see the status.
Depending on the selected visibility setting, the summary may display one of the following labels:
- My contacts — visible to all saved contacts
- My contacts except — visible to all contacts except selected exclusions
- Only share with — visible only to selected contacts
This contextual display is designed to make privacy settings easier to interpret, especially for users who frequently switch between different audience options.
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Mentions and Sharing Permissions Explained
Beyond basic audience visibility, the feature also surfaces additional information related to status interactions.
Mentions Overview
The privacy panel lists all contacts mentioned in a status update. Mentions trigger notifications for tagged users, and the new interface groups them into a single view, offering a clearer picture of who has been directly referenced.
Status Sharing Controls
The panel also indicates whether viewers are allowed to share the status further. WhatsApp disables resharing by default, but users can enable it for specific updates. The new feature allows users to confirm this setting after posting.
Together, these elements provide a comprehensive overview of how a status update is distributed and who is involved.
Design and User Interface Changes
From available beta information, the feature appears seamlessly integrated into WhatsApp’s existing status viewer interface.
Key design characteristics include:
- Minimalist layout consistent with WhatsApp’s design language
- Clear, descriptive labels for audience categories
- Segmented sections for audience, mentions, and sharing permissions
- Quick access from the viewers list without navigating deeper settings menus
The interface prioritises clarity and speed, reflecting WhatsApp’s broader approach to simplifying privacy-related information.
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Why This Update Matters
WhatsApp status is widely used in India for personal communication, professional updates, and community engagement. With millions of users posting status updates daily, privacy misconfigurations can lead to unintended audiences viewing sensitive content.
The new feature addresses this challenge in several ways:
Greater Transparency
By presenting privacy information in a clear summary, the feature reduces ambiguity around who can view a status update.
Reduced Risk of Oversharing
Users can quickly verify whether a status was shared with the intended audience, minimising accidental exposure.
Improved Privacy Awareness
The feature encourages users to engage more consciously with privacy settings, rather than relying on assumptions about visibility.
Broader Context: WhatsApp’s Privacy Strategy
The reported feature fits into WhatsApp’s broader effort to strengthen privacy controls across the platform.
In recent years, WhatsApp has introduced several privacy-focused updates, including:
- Enhanced controls for last seen and online status
- Expanded profile photo visibility options
- Silent exit and admin controls in groups
- Chat lock and disappearing messages
Together, these updates reflect a gradual shift toward giving users more granular control over how their information and content are shared.
The new status privacy review feature extends this philosophy to ephemeral content, which has become an important part of how users communicate on the platform.
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Availability and Rollout Timeline
At present, the feature is limited to a small group of beta testers on Android and iOS.
Key points about its rollout:
- Available in select beta builds
- Not yet officially announced by WhatsApp
- Likely to be rolled out gradually after testing
WhatsApp typically releases new features in stages, expanding availability as stability and usability are confirmed. As a result, the feature may take time to reach all users.
Implications for Indian Users and the Market
For Indian users, the feature could significantly improve the experience of sharing status updates.
Everyday Users
For personal users, the feature provides reassurance that sensitive updates are visible only to the intended audience.
Professionals and Businesses
For professionals and small businesses that use WhatsApp status for communication and updates, the feature offers greater confidence in audience targeting.
Platform Trust
From a broader perspective, transparency features like this can help strengthen user trust in messaging platforms, particularly at a time when privacy concerns are growing globally.
Confirmed Information vs Expectations
Based on reports and beta testing:
- WhatsApp is testing a status privacy review feature
- The feature displays audience, mentions, and sharing permissions
- It is currently limited to beta users
Not yet confirmed:
- Official launch timeline
- Whether the feature will be enabled by default
- Potential expansion to additional privacy indicators
WhatsApp’s reported plan to show status privacy details after posting updates reflects an incremental but meaningful shift toward greater transparency in content sharing. While still under testing, the feature could help users better understand how their status updates are distributed and reduce uncertainty around privacy settings.
If rolled out widely, the update may become a practical addition to WhatsApp’s status ecosystem, particularly in high-usage markets such as India, where status updates play an important role in everyday communication.
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