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Original poster

To ask you about these new WhatsApp privacy settings

125 replies

oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 12:41

Does anyone know when the new WhatsApp privacy settings are coming in?

I am waiting to be able to change my settings so that no-one can see when I am online. Best privacy update ever IMO! Does mean can also no longer spy on a partner we might be suspicious of though haha. Yes I have trust issues but am currently single.

Anyway, I would just like to be able to be online writing and reading messages without other friends wondering why my status is online, I find it pressured and anxiety-inducing.

Anyone know when the new feature kicks in?

OP posts:
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6
NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 13:28

I find it really useful because I I've a friend who I love but once she realises I'm online the messages come like bullets.

I use my phone a lot (not ashamed) but many times I'll be scrolling and a message pops up from her and my finger accidentally hits it as I'm scrolling so it shows that I'm online

GiltEdges · 04/09/2022 13:33

Sunnyqueen · 04/09/2022 12:58

You can definitely do that already

I love the absolutely confidence with which people can assert something as fact and still be 100% wrong.

starbaby858 · 04/09/2022 13:35

GiltEdges · 04/09/2022 13:33

I love the absolutely confidence with which people can assert something as fact and still be 100% wrong.

Show quote history

Literally😂 that is the definition of wrong and strong

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:38

Sunnyqueen · 04/09/2022 12:58

You can definitely do that already

No, you definitely cannot.

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Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:39

starbaby858 · 04/09/2022 12:57

You’re gonna regret you posted on here OP. Most people on here don’t seem to understand how whatsapp actually works.

I didn’t know they were introducing a feature to no longer show when you’re online messaging other people. That’s so good😭 I hate when I get messages like, ‘but you were online when I sent a message so why did it take you so long to reply?’ Like pls leave me alone!

When you find out when the feature will be introduced, pls let me know!

Ouf. Yes I am seeing that already. Its quite irritating to have so many people reply with 'you can definitely do that already' all it would take is 2 minutes for them go google something like 'WhatsApp new setting hiding online status' and they would see for themselves. I am rolling my eyes over here!

Fingers crossed the update comes in soon! For the very reasons you mentioned.

OP posts:
Thethingswedoforlove · 04/09/2022 13:39

if someone isn’t in your contacts then they can’t see if you are online (if you haven’t exchanged messages with you before). that was brought in arojnd last Christmas. But if someone is saved in your contacts they can def see if you are online at the time they are looking. It is that which will change imminently.

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:40

BeenHereForYonkyDoodles · 04/09/2022 13:03

I understand you OP. I'm also waiting for the new changes so I can quietly exit a few wattsapp groups without it automatically notifying the rest of the group.
As far as I know the updates haven't kicked in yet. Please hurry up wattsapp!

YES - I am also eagerly waiting for this update to happen to!!

OP posts:
Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:43

PrettyPrim · 04/09/2022 13:22

You can definitely do it already. I have several family members and a few friends that have done it. It DOESN'T show last seen.. it just shows their name with no online status at all.

Wrong.

Just take two minutes and have a quick google. You will soon see you are not correct unfortunately.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-62464243

See here, first paragraph under the second picture, re changes to 'online' privacy settings.

OP posts:
LampLighter414 · 04/09/2022 13:44

Haha this thread will descend into a bunch of tech illiterate 30somethings arguing that you can already do this.

Fact is you cannot do this, only turn off last seen but if someone is on WhatsApp messaging or video calling the second you’re looking at their chat there is the big word ‘online’ under their name.

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:45

ItsHitTheFanNow · 04/09/2022 13:27

Omg, how can so many people not understand!

Last seen and online are two completely different things!

Honestly. I do actually worry for these people and the impact of such ignorance on their daily lives! Its such a simply concept to grasp.

OP posts:
LampLighter414 · 04/09/2022 13:45

BeenHereForYonkyDoodles · 04/09/2022 13:03

I understand you OP. I'm also waiting for the new changes so I can quietly exit a few wattsapp groups without it automatically notifying the rest of the group.
As far as I know the updates haven't kicked in yet. Please hurry up wattsapp!

That is a great change!

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:48

LampLighter414 · 04/09/2022 13:45

That is a great change!

Show quote history

Indeed! :)

OP posts:
Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:48

No move 'why have you left the group?' bullshit, or endless pointless and draining (plus time consuming to read) notifications!!

OP posts:
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit · 04/09/2022 13:48

There's a lot of stalkers up in here

NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 13:50

LampLighter414 · 04/09/2022 13:44

Haha this thread will descend into a bunch of tech illiterate 30somethings arguing that you can already do this.

Fact is you cannot do this, only turn off last seen but if someone is on WhatsApp messaging or video calling the second you’re looking at their chat there is the big word ‘online’ under their name.

I'm 38 ☹️

Luckily I learned how to use Google, despite being a millennial

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:50

VictoriaConcordiaCrescit · 04/09/2022 13:48

There's a lot of stalkers up in here

Guilty! haha.

But the number of people who have discovered their partner is cheating by viewing whether or not they come 'online' consistently on WhatsApp whenever they are using the bathroom / loo (so behind a locked door), is very surprising...

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Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:54

NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 13:50

I'm 38 ☹️

Luckily I learned how to use Google, despite being a millennial

Show quote history

Haha. Me too @NippyWoowoo - also a 30-something millennial, and consider myself to be quite tech-savvy :)

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Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 13:59

Thethingswedoforlove · 04/09/2022 13:39

if someone isn’t in your contacts then they can’t see if you are online (if you haven’t exchanged messages with you before). that was brought in arojnd last Christmas. But if someone is saved in your contacts they can def see if you are online at the time they are looking. It is that which will change imminently.

Are you sure about that? I am not certain that is how it works. But happy to be corrected. I tried to Google this and the info is unclear.

OP posts:
ldontWanna · 04/09/2022 14:01

Which is the online status? Where does it show up? I'm only asking because I've never seen it on other people's when i talk to them. No idea about mine.

LittleFluffyCloudz · 04/09/2022 14:01

CherieBabySpliffUp · 04/09/2022 12:44

I thought you could do that already wrt other people not being able to see when you're online.

I've got mine set so people can't see when I was last online.

They can see when I'm online or offline by clicking on the message thread.

NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 14:03

Are you sure about that? I am not certain that is how it works. But happy to be corrected. I tried to Google this and the info is unclear.

Even if this were to be the case, it doesn't affect me as I don't speak to people who aren't in my contacts 😂

Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 14:03

ldontWanna · 04/09/2022 14:01

Which is the online status? Where does it show up? I'm only asking because I've never seen it on other people's when i talk to them. No idea about mine.

You have to click on a person's name to view in. So open the individual message box as though you were going to write them a message / read a message from them, and the online status appears (or doesn't appear, if they are offline) directly under their name at the top, which is the same place it says 'typing...' instead of 'online' if they are in the middle of writing you a message

OP posts:
Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 14:04

NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 14:03

Are you sure about that? I am not certain that is how it works. But happy to be corrected. I tried to Google this and the info is unclear.

Even if this were to be the case, it doesn't affect me as I don't speak to people who aren't in my contacts 😂

Fair enough!

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NippyWoowoo · 04/09/2022 14:04

ldontWanna · 04/09/2022 14:01

Which is the online status? Where does it show up? I'm only asking because I've never seen it on other people's when i talk to them. No idea about mine.

This is just a generic Google photo, when a person opens WhatsApp, if you happen to be open onto their chat, you will see that they are online.

If you're chatting to a different person you won't know that, you can only see the online status of someone you've opened the chat page to

To ask you about these new WhatsApp privacy settings
Original poster
oatmilkicedchai · 04/09/2022 14:05

LittleFluffyCloudz · 04/09/2022 14:01

I've got mine set so people can't see when I was last online.

They can see when I'm online or offline by clicking on the message thread.

Show quote history

Yes, correct. You can amend the settings so allow people to view when you were 'last online/active' or not, if that's the preference.

But you cannot at present choose to opt-out of people seeing when you are currently online, at that very present moment.

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