WhatsApp will improve the privacy of locked chats and status updates with new features

WhatsApp, the widely used messaging platform, is preparing to roll out significant updates designed to optimize user privacy and engagement. WaBetaInfo discovered these features in recent beta versions of the app.

First, WhatsApp is working to improve chat privacy by bringing its Locked Chats feature to linked devices. This feature was spotted in the WhatsApp Beta update for Android 2.24.8.4, available on the Google Play Store.

Currently, the ability to lock chats behind a passcode is limited to the primary device, leaving potentially sensitive conversations exposed on linked devices. With this update, users will be able to backup sensitive conversations across all connected devices.

To launch the Chat Lock feature on a linked device, users will need to create a passcode in their primary phone’s Chat Lock settings. Once this code is set, locked chats will remain hidden from the standard chat list and will only be accessible after entering the passcode on linked devices.

WhatsApp is also introducing a new way to interact with status updates. Users will soon be able to mention specific contacts in their status messages privately. This feature, found in WhatsApp for iOS beta 24.7.10.71, is designed to boost engagement and alert specific contacts when they have been mentioned in a shared status.

When a contact is mentioned, a private notification will be sent to them. It is important to note that only the mentioned contact will be able to see that they have been mentioned in a status story, ensuring that the mention remains confidential. This contrasts with Instagram Stories mentions, which are visible to others.

These updates are currently in development, but WhatsApp users on Android and iOS can expect the features to become widely available soon.