6 WhatsApp privacy features we would love to have

WhatsApp has become a must-have communication platform for smartphone users. After it got acquired by Facebook, the free chatting app got revamped dramatically, especially on Android. WhatsApp now looks more lively with the all-new material design. There have been new updates likes the blue ticks and WhatsApp calling, but privacy is still a concern for many users. With WhatsApp becoming mainstream with around 1 billion downloads so far, it is time the developers started looking at making things a bit more private for the user.

Here are 6 WhatsApp privacy features we would love to have, soon:

In-built app lock: With the amount of personal data shared over WhatsApp, it’s high time WhatsApp provide an in-built app lock or opt for a mandatory four-digit sign-in mechanism. Of course, there are several third party app lockers available in the market, but none are trustworthy. If a simple torch light application can ask for access to a contact list, gallery and other personal things, then imagine the kind of data a third-party locker will have access to.

Invisible mode: Remember the invisible mode on almost every chatting platform? Wouldn’t it be nice if it comes to WhatsApp? WhatsApp may not interested in this feature because it’s primarily goal is to make its users be available always. However, WhatsApp can tweak it a bit and introduce a timed invisible mode. This will be helpful when you are having a serious chat with one or two people. While invisible, the particular user will not be shown ‘online’ in the contact list.

Busy mode: WhatsApp can be irritating sometimes, especially when you are working and prefer people to call you instead of sending texts over WhatsApp. WhatsApp users generally  mute their phone or even turn off their mobile internet to get rid of the constant notifications. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a busy mode in which chat notifications would stop popping out. While using the busy mode, the user’s availability status would show as “Busy” which means all the chats will be visible to the user only after he has got out of busy mode. In the busy mode, WhatsApp will not alert of any new messages to the user and instead save it in the background.

Friend request: After Facebook acquired WhatsApp, the developers might be interested in bringing “friend request” to WhatsApp. Of course, you can block an unknown contact on WhatsApp, but it appears a bit rude. WhatsApp might take a bit of inspiration from LinkedIn when it comes to adding people. Also, those who do not belong to the friend list can send a maximum of three messages at first. If the sender gets a reply only then can he/she send further messages or add to friend list.

Recall messages: Sometimes you might something to somebody by mistake. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could take back your words within a few seconds of sending the message?

Text only messages: There might be several contacts from whom you might want text messages only — no videos, no meme cards, no photos — if you understand what we mean. When this feature is turned on, only text messages from select contacts will appear.

Do want any of these features? Or, got a new idea? Share them at the comment section below.