WhatsApp Last Seen is a feature that shows the last time a user was active on the messaging app. It is denoted by a timestamp and can be viewed by anyone who has the user's phone number saved in their contacts list and is also using WhatsApp. This feature has been controversial since its inception, with some users wanting to keep their online activity private, while others find it helpful to know when their contacts were last active.
The Last Seen feature was introduced in WhatsApp whatsapp mobile number list in 2012, and it has undergone several changes since then. Initially, it showed the exact time a user was last seen online, but later updates replaced the exact timestamp with general time indicators like 'Today' or 'Yesterday.' In addition, users can customize who can see their Last Seen status by selecting from three privacy options: Everyone, My Contacts, or Nobody.
WhatsApp Last Seen is useful for many reasons. For instance, it allows users to know if their message was read or not, and it can help determine if a contact is available to chat. However, some people find it intrusive, and it can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety when waiting for a response.
One significant issue with the Last Seen feature is the lack of control over who can see it. Anyone who has the user's phone number can see when they were last active on WhatsApp, regardless of their relationship with the user. This feature can be particularly troubling in situations where the user may not want certain people to know when they were last online, such as in cases of stalking or harassment.
In response to these concerns, WhatsApp has added additional privacy options that allow users to control who can see their Last Seen status. However, these options are not foolproof, as some third-party apps claim to bypass WhatsApp's privacy settings and allow users to view Last Seen statuses without permission.
In conclusion, WhatsApp Last Seen is a useful feature that allows users to know when their contacts were last active on the messaging app. However, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety, and it raises privacy concerns for some users. WhatsApp has made efforts to address these concerns by adding more privacy options, but the feature remains controversial. Ultimately, it is up to individual users to decide whether to enable or disable Last Seen and how to customize their privacy settings on the app.