WhatsApp is trials a new feature similar to Instagram's 'Close Friends' list, available exclusively for iOS users.
WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform, is taking a leap towards enhancing user privacy and control with the introduction of a new feature called "Close Friends". This feature, which is currently in development, bears a striking resemblance to Instagram's "Close Friends" option for Stories.
The "Close Friends" option can be added to the Status audience menu, allowing users to share posts with a handpicked circle instead of their entire contact list. This feature is expected to be beneficial for creators, small businesses, and community organisers managing multiple audiences.
The development of this feature is coordinated by WhatsApp's leadership, headed by Will Cathcart, the Head of WhatsApp at Meta Platforms. WhatsApp is beta testing the feature, with it currently only visible to a select group of iOS beta testers.
To indicate posts that are part of the "Close Friends" list, WhatsApp is expected to use a visual cue, likely a green ring around the Status. Close Friends' posts will still disappear after 24 hours, similar to normal Status updates.
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, is continuously experimenting with providing users with more granular privacy tools without making the platform overly complicated. This move towards enhanced privacy control follows Meta's ongoing efforts to address user concerns about data privacy and control.
However, the introduction of the "Close Friends" feature could potentially fragment engagement on WhatsApp, as users might choose to share updates only with a select group. This raises the question of whether the overlap of audience control features among Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp might influence app usage for different types of sharing.
As of now, there's no official announcement about a global release for the AI-powered Writing Help assistant for iOS, another feature that WhatsApp is experimenting with. Similarly, no information is available regarding an Android rollout or a global release date for the Close Friends feature.
The ability to add or remove people from the "Close Friends" list ensures users have complete control over their privacy settings. It's worth noting that nobody receives a notification when changes are made to the "Close Friends" list, maintaining the user's privacy further.
The overlap of audience control features among Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp presents a bigger question about app usage for different types of sharing. As these platforms continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how users adapt and utilise these new features to manage their digital presence.
WABetaInfo, a well-known source for everything related to WhatsApp, discovered this update in WhatsApp version 25.23.10.80. As the development of the "Close Friends" feature continues, users can look forward to more updates and improvements in the coming months.
