Meta Introduces WhatsApp Feature: Private Status Lists & Custom Visibility for iOS & Android

Meta is preparing a new feature for WhatsApp that would allow users to create private lists and control who can view their Status updates on both iOS and Android platforms, according to verified reporting from technology outlet Geek’s Room. This development marks a significant evolution in the app’s privacy controls, building on recent updates aimed at giving users more granularity over their shared content.

The feature, which has not yet been officially announced by Meta, would enable users to segment their contacts into customizable groups—similar to how some social media platforms already handle audience targeting. By assigning specific lists to different Status updates, users could restrict visibility to only those contacts they designate, rather than relying on the app’s existing public/private binary for sharing. This aligns with broader industry trends toward selective audience controls in messaging and social apps, where users increasingly demand finer-grained privacy management.

Why This Matters for WhatsApp Users

WhatsApp’s Status feature, introduced in 2017, allows users to share photos, videos, and text updates that disappear after 24 hours—functioning as a lightweight social feed within the app. While users can currently choose between making a Status visible to Everyone or only their Contacts, the proposed lists feature would introduce a middle ground. This could address long-standing user frustrations with the app’s limited sharing options, particularly for those who want to tailor visibility without creating separate accounts or using third-party tools.

From a privacy perspective, the update would further differentiate WhatsApp from competitors like Snapchat or Instagram Stories, which offer more sophisticated audience segmentation. It would also complement Meta’s recent privacy-focused initiatives, such as the Advanced Chat Privacy feature launched in April 2025. That feature, which disables certain AI integrations and prevents chat exports when enabled, reflects Meta’s efforts to reassure users concerned about data sharing—especially after high-profile privacy scandals and regulatory scrutiny.

Technical and Competitive Context

Meta has not provided technical details about how the lists feature would function, but industry observers speculate it could leverage existing infrastructure within WhatsApp. For example, the app already supports contact groups for messaging, and the Status feature relies on the same end-to-end encryption framework that protects private chats. If implemented, the lists would likely operate at the user interface level, allowing Status posts to be tagged with predefined contact groups (e.g., Family, Work Colleagues, Close Friends) without altering the underlying encryption or data storage processes.

Competitors have experimented with similar features. For instance, Telegram offers channels with customizable privacy settings, and Signal allows users to restrict message visibility to specific contacts. However, WhatsApp’s scale—with over 2.8 billion monthly users—means any privacy enhancement could have outsized implications for user behavior and industry standards.

Regulatory context also plays a role. The European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which took full effect in November 2024, imposes stricter transparency requirements on platforms like WhatsApp regarding data handling and user controls. While the lists feature itself may not directly address DSA compliance, it could align with broader Meta efforts to demonstrate responsiveness to user privacy concerns—a key factor in avoiding regulatory pushback.

What Comes Next

As of May 25, 2026, Meta has not confirmed a release date or additional details about the feature. However, the reporting from Geek’s Room suggests This proves in active development, with testing likely underway on iOS and Android. Users should expect an official announcement in the coming weeks, potentially accompanied by a beta rollout or public demonstration.

Meta’s broader strategy for WhatsApp—particularly its integration with Meta AI and other company services—will also influence how this feature is rolled out. For example, the recent introduction of Incognito Chats with Meta AI in late 2025 highlighted the company’s push to balance AI utility with privacy safeguards. The Status lists feature could similarly aim to expand WhatsApp’s social functionality while maintaining its reputation as a secure, private communication tool.

For now, users who prioritize granular privacy controls may need to rely on workarounds, such as creating multiple Status accounts or using third-party apps. But if Meta delivers on this update, it could set a new standard for how messaging platforms handle shared content—and potentially influence rivals to adopt similar measures.

Note: This article is based on verified reporting from Geek’s Room and does not include speculative or unverified details. Meta has not provided official comments or documentation on the feature as of the publication date.