Can someone who is not in my contacts see my WhatsApp status - briefly?
No, generally speaking, only those in your contacts can view your WhatsApp status. By default, WhatsApp settings restrict status visibility to your existing contacts.
Can someone who is not in my contacts see my WhatsApp status - in detail?
The visibility of your WhatsApp status depends on the privacy settings you have configured for it. By default, your WhatsApp status is visible to all your contacts. However, you can adjust these settings to restrict access to a more limited audience.
When you set your status to "My Contacts," only those individuals who are saved in your phone's contact list will be able to view it. If someone is not listed in your contacts, they will not have the ability to see your WhatsApp status. This feature ensures that your status updates remain private and are shared only with people you trust or wish to communicate with regularly.
To further enhance privacy, WhatsApp offers an option called "My Contacts Except..." This setting allows you to select specific contacts who will be excluded from viewing your status. This can be particularly useful if you want to share your status with most of your contacts but exclude a few individuals for any reason.
In summary, someone who is not in your contacts cannot see your WhatsApp status unless you have explicitly adjusted your privacy settings to include them. It's always a good idea to review and update your status privacy settings periodically to ensure that your content is being shared with the intended audience.