The WhatsApp last seen feature is now set to “My Contacts” by default, preventing strangers you haven’t chatted with from seeing this information in the app.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hiding WhatsApp “last seen” status from strangers

It means your “last seen” status is no longer visible to people whose mobile number isn’t saved in the stock Contacts app or those you haven’t chatted with on WhatsApp at all.

“To improve the privacy and security of our users, we are making it harder for people you don’t know and haven’t chatted with from seeing your ‘last seen’ status and online presence on WhatsApp,” the company’s support team wrote on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/NiHaolain/status/1468281924057763849

It would be even better if your friends couldn’t see that your “last seen” privacy setting has changed. WhatsApp thought about that, too. “This will not change anything between you and your friends, family and businesses who you know or have previously messaged.”

Before this change, the feature was set to “Everyone” by default which allowed all WhatsApp users to see your status—whether you had their contact information saved or have exchanged messages with them at least once in the app.

Even though WhatsApp now defaults your “last seen” status to “Everyone” by default, you’re able to change that setting at any time. WhatsApp’s privacy settings provide the option to control who can see your “last seen” status.

How to change your WhatsApp “last seen” status

Visit the WhatsApp privacy settings to change who can see your “last seen” status.

For further information, read aWhatsApp support document.

Why am I not seeing a contact’s “last seen” status?

There are a few reasons why you may be unable to see a person’s “last seen” status.

If a contact has set their privacy settings to hide this information, you won’t see it. Another reason: You might have been blocked. Also, keep in mind that there’s reciprocity involved here—if you choose not to share your own “last seen” status, then you cannot see other contacts’ one. Read:How to check if a phone number is on WhatsApp