WhatsApp stealth mode lets you select who can see when you’re online

Whether you’re trying to play it cool with a date or putting off responding to your ex, WhatApp’s online indicator can be unhelpful.

Now, the messaging app has launched a stealth mode that allows you to select who can and can’t see when you’re on WhatsApp.

The tool is one of three new privacy features announced by Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of WhatsApp’s parent company Meta.

‘We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations,’ Zuckerberg said.

The three new privacy tools have been launched as ‘added layers of protection when messaging,’ according to WhatsApp.

‘New privacy features coming to WhatsApp: exit group chats without notifying everyone, control who can see when you’re online and prevent screenshots on view once messages,’ Zuckerberg said.

Stealth mode is rolling out to all users this month, and will allow you to choose who can see when you’re online.

‘Seeing when friends or family are online helps us feel connected to one another, but we’ve all had times when we wanted to check our WhatsApp privately,’ WhatsApp explained.

‘For the times you want to keep your online presence private, we’re introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online.’

WhatsApp is also adding the ability for users worldwide to leave groups silently this month, without having to notify everyone.

Instead, only admins will now be notified when you leave a group.

Finally, WhatsApp is testing adding screenshot blocking for View Once messages.

‘View Once is already an incredibly popular way to share photos or media that don’t need to have a permanent digital record,’ WhatsApp explained. ‘Now we’re enabling screenshot blocking for View Once messages for an added layer of protection.’

WhatsApp prides itself on its impressive range of privacy tools, including end-to-end encryption, two-step verification and disappearing messages.

WhatsApp prides itself on its impressive range of privacy tools, including end-to-end encryption, two-step verification, and disappearing messages

Ami Vora, head of product at WhatsApp, explained: ‘At WhatsApp, we’re focused on building product features that empower people to have more control and privacy over their messages.

‘Over the years, we’ve added interlocking layers of protection to help keep their conversations secure, and the new features is one way we continue to deliver on our commitment to keep messages private.

‘No other global messaging service at this scale provides this level of security for their users’ messages, media, voice messages, video calls, and chat backups.

‘We believe WhatsApp is the most secure place to have a private conversation.

‘And to spread the word about these new features, we’re also kicking off a global campaign, starting with the UK and India, to educate people about how we work to protect their private conversations on WhatsApp.’