WhatsApp is working to introduce a feature that would let users mask their phone numbers in certain WhatsApp groups and within the upcoming Communities. According to WABetaInfo, the messaging platform's beta update for Android version 2.22.17.23 has this feature that would let users hide their phone numbers.
This comes months after months after Meta-owned WhatsApp mentioned its plans to mask phone numbers between members of communities with the publication The Verge.
"In fact, as you can see in this screenshot (it is below), the new privacy setting is about the ability to share the phone number to a certain sub-group of a community! This option is disabled by default so it means your phone number will immediately be hidden to all members when you join a community, but you are free to share it with a certain sub-group of a community if you want," WABetaInfo wrote on its page.
However, it should be noted that this privacy option is only limited to communities and they are still under development.
Meanwhile, In what seems like WhatsApp is working to introduce a unique addition to status updates soon, WABetaInfo, the beta tracker of WhatsApp, said last month that the Meta-owned company may soon roll out the ability for users to share voice notes as a status update that could be called “voice status”.
The feature is being tested and has been spotted in WhatsApp for Android beta v2.22.16.3, as per WABetaInfo.
The world's most popular messaging platform in July announced any emojis can be used as a reaction on WhatsApp. Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement through a Facebook post and also posted his favourite emojis. This is something that we have seen the company already doing for Instagram.
If a user wants to use any emoji as a reaction on WhatsApp, they have to long-press on a message, tap on the "+" button and choose an emoji through the full list of emojis and pick the emoji of their choice.