There is no doubt, WhatsApp is the most popular instant messaging app and service. There have been quite a few privacy concerns about the service recently but it managed to take care of it.
One privacy feature, end-to-end encryption makes the messaging secure between the sender and the receiver. This feature is turned on by default and can not be turned off by the users. Apart from that, there are several other privacy options that the users can opt in or out as they wish.
WhatsApp offers users to control which information they want to share with friends, family and anyone who has their number added. That includes your “profile photo”, “about”, “status” and most importantly the “Last seen” which now, after latest update, could be “Last seen and online” if the option rolled out to you.
Both the “Last seen” and “online” information of yours can be intrusive at various times. Your contacts can see when was the last time you were online (if Last seen option turned on), or if it is right now that you are online (if the new Online option is turned on). WhatsApp has made both the options flexible enough for the users to turn them off or customise as they want.
How to manage your “Last seen” on WhatsApp
The “Last seen” option is available to all users. Users can manage to turn this option completely off or limit their last seen time to their contacts only. Users can also restrict some of their contacts from viewing their “last seen” information.
Note: To make this tutorial, following steps were performed on an Android phone. iOS users should use their respective order of steps.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the menu icon the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
- On iOS, Settings tab is at the bottom-right corner.
- Tap Account, and then choose Privacy.
- Tap Last seen.
- Some users may see “Last seen and online” instead.
- Inside Last seen section, you will be able to choose one from the following options.
- Everyone
- My contacts
- My contacts except.
- This option will provide you with your contacts to prevent from seeing your last seen.
- Nobody
Note: Any option you choose will work other way around with the people you are messaging. If you don’t want other people or selected contacts see your “Last seen”, you won’t be able to see theirs. It’s that simple.
WhatsApp Privacy Features August 2022 – Last seen and online, Screenshot Blocking, Leave Groups Silently
How to manage your “online” status on WhatsApp
Your “online” status on WhatsApp was probably the most vigorous factor of the messaging app, that you couldn’t turn this off. Millennials have always used such a status option in the internet messengers from the past.
WhatsApp announced in August 2022 that the most awaited option to hide your “online” status was coming. Since then, the users have been waiting curiously and it has now beginning to roll out. The option is bundled with the “Last seen” option and is available as “Last seen and online”.
Follow the steps below to manage your “online” status on WhatsApp, only if the option is available to you.
- Open WhatsApp
- Tap the menu icon the top-right corner, and choose Settings.
- On iOS, Settings tab is at the bottom-right corner.
- Tap Account, and then choose Privacy.
- Tap Last seen and online.
- Then, you will see two sections.
- Who can see my last seen
- Who can see when I’m online
- The section, “who can see my last seen” is exactly the same as before with the following options.
- Everyone
- My contacts
- My contacts except (selected contacts).
- Nobody
- The section, “who can see when I’m online” is the new setting with the following options.
- Everyone
- Same as “last seen”
The new setting to hide your “online” status offers only two options to choose from. Either you can allow “everyone” to see when you are online, or it will follow your preferences for your “last seen”. That means you can not set your “Last seen” to “Everyone or some contacts” but “Online” to “Nobody”.
Note: “Online” settings also work like “last seen” in reverse. You will not be able to see the people when the are “online” if you restrict them to see yours.
Online status controls (with several other the privacy features) have began rolling out in August, however, they aren’t available for everyone yet. Just keep an eye on your privacy settings as you won’t know when it reaches you silently.
Source: Tech Prolonged