Tech Desk 
Jan 17, 2026
WhatsApp is reporterdly working on a new feature, Audience, that will improve status privacy settings to give users a better messaging experience.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp new update will offer a clearer and more user-friendly experience, as they can easily verify the audience for their update, confirm the chosen privacy option, and check if others can reshare the post.
WhatsApp Status update will benefit those who regularly adjust their settings before uploading anything on the story. Currently, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform offers no direct way to confirm who can view a live Status, often forcing users to rely on memory or delete the post if they feel unsure about the audience.
How to access WhatsApp status privacy?
WABetaInfo reported that WhatsApp users can access 'Audience' feature via the viewer's menu on any active status within the 24-hour window. Opening this menu reveals a new 'Audience' section. Tapping it displays a summary page showing the specific privacy settings for that update.
At the top, WhatsApp indicates who the user shared the status with. If the user made it visible to all saved contacts, the label reads “My Contacts.” If they applied restrictions, the labels show “My Contacts Except” or “Only share with.”
It is important to note that WhatsApp, by allowing users to manage visibility more clearly, gives its users more improved way to reduce confusion and eliminate the need to delete and repost statuses.
