Why is the last visit time of a interlocutor in WhatsApp old, but they are responding to messages?

Why is the last visit time of a interlocutor in WhatsApp old, but they are responding to messages - briefly?

The last visit time in WhatsApp may appear old because the user has read your message without opening the app directly. Instead, they might be using the app's notification feature or a third-party client that doesn't update the "last seen" status immediately. Despite this, they are still able to respond to messages promptly.

Why is the last visit time of a interlocutor in WhatsApp old, but they are responding to messages - in detail?

The discrepancy between an interlocutor's outdated "Last Seen" timestamp on WhatsApp and their active responses can be attributed to several factors related to the app's privacy settings, connection issues, or user behavior.

Firstly, WhatsApp offers users the option to control who sees their "Last Seen" status. If an interlocutor has set their privacy settings to restrict this information, it will only be visible to certain contacts or no one at all. In such cases, while you might see an old timestamp, they could still be actively using WhatsApp and responding to messages.

Secondly, connectivity issues can also cause delays in updating the "Last Seen" status. If the interlocutor is experiencing poor internet connectivity or their device is temporarily offline, WhatsApp may not receive real-time updates about their activity. Consequently, the timestamp you see could be outdated even though they are actively engaged in conversations.

Moreover, users can choose to turn off read receipts altogether, which hides the blue checkmarks indicating message delivery and reading status. While this does not directly affect the "Last Seen" timestamp, it reflects a preference for privacy that could extend to other aspects of their WhatsApp usage.

Lastly, the interlocutor might be using WhatsApp Web or the desktop version of the app, which updates the "Last Seen" status differently compared to the mobile app. In some cases, the timestamp on the mobile app may not reflect the most recent activity if the user is primarily active on a different platform.

In summary, the apparent inconsistency between an interlocutor's old "Last Seen" time and their responsiveness can be explained by privacy settings, connectivity issues, or the use of alternative platforms for WhatsApp communication. Understanding these factors helps clarify why the timestamp might not accurately represent their current activity on the app.