WhatsApp is now letting its beta users share their status updates on Facebook and other apps. Facebook today confirmed the rollout of a new feature to WhatsApp Beta users which will add the option to share your already posted status on other apps like Facebook, Gmail and so on. For the unaware, WhatsApp has been working on this feature for a while now and it's finally out for beta users today, as reported by The Verge. WhatsApp also confirmed that this feature does not force you to link your Facebook account with WhatsApp as the company makes use of the installed apps on your smartphone. For example, once you click the Share to the Facebook option, you'll be redirected to the Facebook app installed on your smartphone; If there's no app installed on your phone, you'll be redirected to your default browser to share the WhatsApp Status on your Facebook timeline.
How Share to Facebook Feature Works on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp Status feature was rolled out back in 2017 with an inspiration taken from Instagram Stories. Similar to Instagram Stories, Status posted by users on WhatsApp will also disappear in 24 hours. Over the last couple of years, WhatsApp has improved the feature by adding GIF sharing, photo sharing, privacy controls and so on.
Now, WhatsApp Status is getting a new feature which allows users to share their status on other platforms like Facebook, Gmail, Google Photos and so on. Basically, WhatsApp is adding a new option called 'Share to Facebook Story' in the WhatsApp Status tab. Once after you post a status, WhatsApp will display the 'Share to Facebook Story' option which will take users to the screen where users can log into their Facebook account and share it.
It's a nice little feature to have around, but there are some concerns about how it works. First of all, several users are concerned that this feature may require them to link their Facebook account with WhatsApp. Well, that's the case. The Verge reports WhatsApp is "making use of the same iOS and Android data-sharing APIs as every other app, meaning data is transferred between the apps on-device."
Also, the feature is completely optional at the moment. WhatsApp will not automatically post your Status on Facebook without your notice. That said, it's a nice feature to have around and you can now easily share WhatsApp Status as Facebook Story as well. We did not spot this feature on the latest WhatsApp Beta for Android and it seems like a staged rollout.
WhatsApp to Soon Give More Privacy Controls for Status Viewing
In other news, WABetaInfo has spotted new privacy that's coming to WhatsApp very soon. WhatsApp Beta for Android v2.19.183 has some references to an upcoming 'Mute Status' feature. Once this feature rolls out, users can hide statuses of contacts they do not want to see. The contacts you select will go under a new section called 'Muted' and you can view them in that section. This is also one of the nifty features to have around.
