WhatsAppThe mobile-focused instant messaging service owned by Meta (formerly Facebook) is struggling to project an image of reliability to the public, so its executives are preparing new privacy options to give more control over the experience. offered when introducing new layers to protect the privacy of communications.

One of the new features of WhatsApp that we already expected last month and that is the ability mark which contacts can see your online status while hiding it from others. Under the name “online presence check” and with a deployment date set for this month, the user will be able to specify which contacts from their list can see their status in the mobile and desktop apps.

The Meta subsidiary is also working on a new feature for messages “see only once”, which consists in blocking the possibility of taking screenshots. These messages, which were introduced about a year ago, disappear when opened. The addition of blocking screenshots is more of a placebo than anything else, because there is always the possibility of taking a photo or video from another device, but sometimes barriers against people without knowledge and ideas become effective.

And finally we have the possibility to be able leave groups without sending a mass notification to all members, although administrators will be notified. Besides being a small privacy addition coming to desktop and mobile this month, it should make the experience of moving between groups less annoying.

WhatsApp has been working for many months to improve its privacy-focused features, although trusting the service or not is a decision that is left up to the user and their preferences.

In addition to the three features we mentioned in this post, WhatsApp has introduced or plans to introduce new features for group admins, using the same account on two smartphones, extending the time to delete messages in any conversation, and has pledged not to weaken the security of its services to complied with the requirements of certain governments.