WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows users to share status updates exclusively with a select group of close friends, similar to Instagram’s popular ‘Close Friends’ list. This update brings enhanced control over privacy and content sharing within the widely used messaging app. The feature is currently in the beta testing phase and is expected to roll out to the broader user base in the near future.
The ‘Close Friends’ option will let users create a customized list of contacts who can view specific status posts, providing greater flexibility over who sees personal updates. This innovation addresses longstanding user demand for more granular privacy controls beyond WhatsApp’s existing status privacy options like “My Contacts” or “My Contacts Except…”.
“This feature aims to enhance the sharing experience by giving users a private circle for more intimate updates,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said. The move reflects a broader trend among social media platforms to offer users personalized control over their visibility and content audience.
WhatsApp’s adoption of this Instagram-inspired feature is significant given its vast global user base, exceeding 2 billion active users. It is part of an ongoing effort to make the app more user-friendly and competitive by integrating popular social networking elements with messaging functionality.
Privacy advocates have welcomed this development but also remind users to remain vigilant about data security. The new feature, if implemented with strong encryption and privacy safeguards, could bolster user confidence in sharing personal moments.
As WhatsApp continues refining this tool during beta testing, social media watchers anticipate its impact on user engagement and how it might reshape social sharing norms within messaging platforms.
