As WhatsApp tests a new feature that uses green dots to highlight contacts who are currently online, some users have expressed concerns that the update could compromise their privacy.
However, based on information available from beta testing, there appears to be little reason for alarm.
The feature is designed to make it easier for users to identify contacts who are currently active on the messaging platform by displaying a green indicator next to eligible accounts or through a dedicated list of online contacts.
Importantly, the new functionality does not appear to override WhatsApp’s existing privacy controls.
Users who have chosen to hide their online status or “Last Seen” from others are not expected to appear in the online contacts list or display the green indicator. Likewise, the feature does not affect read receipt settings, meaning users who have disabled blue ticks will continue to enjoy the same level of privacy.
In practical terms, the update does not introduce any new visibility into a user’s activity. Instead, it simply presents information that is already available to contacts who are permitted to see someone’s online status under existing privacy settings.
Privacy-conscious users can continue using the app as before by ensuring that their Settings > Privacy > Last Seen & Online preferences remain configured according to their needs.
While the feature is still under testing and may undergo changes before a wider rollout, current indications suggest that it is intended to respect users’ existing privacy choices rather than bypass them.
For most users—particularly those who have already hidden their online status, disabled “Last Seen”, or turned off read receipts—the upcoming feature is unlikely to change how much information others can see about their activity.
