WhatsApp to Add ‘Close Friends’ Status Feature

Muscat: WhatsApp has released a new iOS update through the TestFlight beta Program, bringing the version up to 25.23.10.80. The update introduces a significant feature that allows users to share status updates exclusively with their close friends, anticipated to be available in a future update. According to Oman News Agency, the new feature will create a dedicated Close Friends list within the app's privacy settings. This addition aims to streamline the process for users, making it simpler to share personal content with a select group. When posting a Status, users will have the option to choose between sharing it with their entire contact list or their curated Close Friends list. The updates intended for Close Friends will be visually distinct, marked with a unique color ring to help viewers immediately recognize the exclusive nature of the content. Importantly, contacts will not receive notifications when they are added or removed from the Close Friends list, maintaining a level of discretion. Furthermo re, updates shared with Close Friends will retain the platform's standard feature of disappearing after 24 hours. These updates will also continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring both privacy and security for the users.