Last month, the beta version of the WhatsApp Android app started showing a green dot for contacts who are online. The beta of the iPhone app is now doing the same.
The feature does seem to take care to protect privacy in a couple of ways, which is not always a given with Meta apps …
WAbetainfo spotted the new feature.
With the latest update, some beta testers may notice a green dot on the contact’s profile photo. When someone is active on WhatsApp, a small green circle shows up in the corner of their photo. This makes it faster for users to know when someone is available before sending a message. The green dot disappears as soon as the contact is no longer active. As a result, it always reflects the current status in real time.
Meta has applied a couple of privacy protections to the feature. First, if you’ve chosen to hide your online status in the privacy section of the settings, that also applies to the new green dot. Second, you’re only shown as online while you actually have the app open.
