WhatsApp Status has received many new features as of late, ranging from music support to stickers and more layout options. It seems that WhatsApp is continuing to upgrade status updates even further by allowing users more control over their audience.
According to WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is currently developing a Close Friends feature. This feature will let users add specific contacts to a “Close Friends” list. Users will then be able to choose whether they wish to share their status updates with their default audience or those in the list.

Instagram users may find this familiar, as it essentially has the same functionality as the feature already available on the photo-sharing app. Like on Instagram, WhatsApp’s version of Close Friends will also use different colours to distinguish between regular updates and the exclusive ones. Aside from that, those added or removed from the list will not receive any notifications.
WABetaInfo noted that updates to the Close Friends list will only apply to future status updates. This means that in order to let new contacts on the list view a previously shared status, the user has to delete and reupload it. Other than that, the special updates more or less function like regular status updates and will disappear after 24 hours.

As this feature is currently in development, it is not available to users yet. For now, it is still unclear when WhatsApp will be releasing it to the public.
(Source: WABetaInfo)