WhatsApp is rolling out new granular privacy controls for specific testers in the latest beta version of the app for iOS, which allows for better management of privacy settings in the app. First seen in development last year, this feature is designed to give users granular control over who will see their latest views, relationships and profile photos in the messaging service. Although some testers can now access these features in beta versions of iOS and Android, WhatsApp has not yet announced when these privacy settings will be rolled out to all users.
According to a report from WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, the meta-owned messaging service WhatsApp has begun introducing granular privacy controls for profile photos, ‘about’ details and ‘last seen’. Users who have signed up for the beta build via TestFlight can update to the WhatsApp beta for iOS 22.9.0.70 to see the features enabled in the app. The new settings appear to be enabled via the server-side switch, as some users may have to wait 24 hours to see the new settings, according to the feature tracker.
WhatsApp’s new privacy controls for users in the latest iOS beta version
Photo Credit: WABetaInfo
Users who have updated to the latest beta version can choose by going to WhatsApp settings AccountsThen tap Privacy. The titles are under each of the three sections Related, Last seen And Profile photoUsers should be able to see a new option in the title Without my contact … – which will prevent any selected contacts from viewing their profile photos, latest views or profile sections. Previously, WhatsApp would only allow users to choose between Everyone, My contactAnd No one.
Excluding the last contact you see on WhatsApp will hide your last visit from you, but not according to the feature tracker, excluding them from you or the last visit. The same is true for users of the beta version of WhatsApp for Android, who last month got the same feature as the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.22.8.9 which was rolled out on March 29. Gadget 360 was able to ensure that granular privacy controls were enabled and working on the latest version of WhatsApp Beta for Android.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp announced a new community feature to help administrators gain better control over the group. With the new feature, multiple groups can be added to a community and administrators can send a single message to each. According to the company, WhatsApp is further improving messaging services, including an increased file sharing limit, new responses and the ability to make group audio calls with up to 32 people at once.