• Source:JND
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WhatsApp, a popular messaging platform across the globe, test new features and introduce them later in the stable build across platforms. In the latest Android beta version, the company is rolling out a feature that will list contacts that were 'recently online' to users, according to WABetaInfo. The feature is available to some testers in the Android '2.24.9.14' build.

Because of its testing nature, more users can expect to see the feature in the app in the upcoming weeks. Based on the screengrab shared in the report, a list of contacts may show up in the new 'Recently online' section of the contacts list. After a possible release, the list will likely sit between the 'New contact' option and 'Contacts on WhatsApp' section.

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According to the news outlet, a list of limited contacts that were active recently will show up in this space. The list could particularly show up when a user opens WhatsApp to make a new call using the 'call' icon at the bottom right in the 'Calls' tab. It could help people know who was recently active on the app and decide whether to add them to a call.

While it may allow users to check for possible availability of a particular participant, it may also hinder the privacy of a contact in the list to an extent. On the other hand, the feature can eliminate the need to check the availability status of each participant manually. WABetaInfo noted that while WhatsApp may suggest the 'recently online' contacts, the last seen and online status will remain hidden from the list.

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This will help ensure the user preferences relating to these settings are respected. Meanwhile, the company was spotted testing a feature to suggest contacts that users can chat with via a 'Start chatting' section. You can read more on this here.