WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new privacy upgrade that could change how users control their Status visibility. The platform is developing custom audience lists for WhatsApp Status, allowing users to decide exactly who can view their updates — without adjusting settings every time.
The feature is currently under development and is expected to arrive in a future app update.
What Is WhatsApp Custom Audience Lists?
At present, WhatsApp offers three Status privacy options:
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My Contacts
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My Contacts Except…
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Only Share With…
While these options work, users must manually adjust visibility for each post. The upcoming feature aims to eliminate that repeated effort.
With custom audience lists, users will be able to:
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Create reusable contact groups
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Save lists such as “Family,” “Close Friends,” or “Office”
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Select a pre-made audience with one tap while posting Status
This will make Status sharing faster, safer, and more organized.
Why This Feature Matters
Status updates often contain personal photos, travel moments, celebrations, or opinions. Accidentally sharing them with the wrong audience can create privacy concerns.
By introducing saved audience lists, WhatsApp is:
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Reducing accidental oversharing
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Enhancing user control
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Making privacy settings more flexible
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Aligning with modern social media standards
The feature mirrors similar tools seen on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where users can create custom sharing groups.
When Will It Launch?
According to early reports:
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The feature is still under development
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It has not yet rolled out to beta testers
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No official launch date has been confirmed
WhatsApp typically tests new features in beta before public release, so users may see it first in upcoming beta updates.
Part of WhatsApp’s Larger Privacy Strategy
Over the past few years, WhatsApp has introduced several privacy-focused tools, including:
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Disappearing messages
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Chat lock feature
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Control over Last Seen & Online status
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Screenshot restrictions for view-once media
The addition of custom audience lists reinforces WhatsApp’s long-term focus on giving users more control over their personal content.
What Users Should Expect
If launched globally, the feature could:
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Simplify daily Status posting
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Improve privacy confidence
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Reduce manual selection steps
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Encourage more personalized sharing
For now, users should keep their app updated to receive the feature once it becomes available.
