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WhatsApp to introduce close friends control for status sharing

WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will let users control who sees their status updates more easily. The messaging app is working on a close friends option that allows people to share updates only with a selected group from their contacts, similar to how Instagram handles close friends.

A tracking website that follows app updates has spotted the feature in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.5.11. With this option, users will be able to create a preset list of contacts instead of changing privacy settings every time they post a status. Once the list is set, sharing updates with close friends can be done with a single tap.

The feature closely resembles Instagram’s close friends tool, which lets users share stories and posts with chosen followers. An image shared in the report shows 4 status sharing options on WhatsApp. These include “My contacts,” “My contacts except,” “Only share with,” and “Close friends.” This setup gives users more flexibility while posting status updates.

Users will also have full control over their close friends list. Contacts can be added or removed at any time, and removed users will not be notified. Any changes made to the list will not affect updates that were shared earlier. At present, the close friends feature is still under development and is being tested in beta. A wider rollout is expected in future updates, so users may need to wait a few weeks. Alongside this, WhatsApp is also working on other features such as drafts for saved photos and videos, personalised profiles for channel admins, and more additions planned for upcoming updates.

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