WhatsApp: how to change your privacy settings and protect yourself

WhatsApp is the mobile messaging app that allows you to send text messages and make phone and video calls to friends and family in different countries without paying international rates.

By default, the app has specific privacy settings that allow any user to see when you last used the app (last time you saw), your profile photo, your information “Up” and the read receipts. They also allow contacts to see your status updates and all users can add you to groups.

If you want more privacy on the app, these settings can be changed at any time. Here’s how to do it.

How to change WhatsApp privacy settings

1. Open the WhatsApp app.

2. Tap the “Settings” gear icon in the bottom menu.

3. Tap “Account”.

4. Choose “Privacy”.

5. Tap the privacy setting you want to change, including Last Accessed, Profile Photo, About, Groups, and My Status.

6. Select a group from the list of options for that setting:

• All
• My contacts
• Nobody