WhatsApp down reports are on the rise, with users of the hit chat app reporting issues accessing the last seen online status bar.

Independent outage monitor Down Detector has seen a huge spike in WhatsApp down reports today.

At the time of writing, Down Detector has registered a peak of almost 4,000 WhatsApp down reports.

Out of those affected, 73 per cent are having problems with the WhatsApp last seen feature while 24 per cent are having connection issues.

WhatsApp users have taken to Twitter to report the issue, saying they are unable to change their last seen settings in the app’s privacy settings.

Apparently, due to a technical glitch (did someone hack @WhatsApp ?) , last seen was automatically set to “Nobody” and changing it is not possible ! #whatsappdown pic.twitter.com/yRl1dKZkvX

— Anandh Jose (@AnandhJose) June 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/deangelo_rsa/status/1274038917990363138?s=20

Relationships across the globe are crumbling now because they can’t see their partner’s last seen
😂😂😂#WhatsAppDown #WhatsApp #whatsapp pic.twitter.com/8UUSm7Dv02

— ©Sufi Aaftab Azizi™ (@aaftab_azizi_09) June 19, 2020

Me on whatsapp right now: pic.twitter.com/Tepd0l6mC2

— ميلاد (@MiledAbc) June 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/zaynanxari/status/1274038544496054272?s=20

WhatsApp exactly what i wanted, no last seen, no online feature.
I can now cheat in peace. pic.twitter.com/zmzXstQKlQ

— Monwabisi Mbonda (@MonwabisiMbonda) June 19, 2020

https://twitter.com/deangelo_rsa/status/1274040363062304775?s=20

One tweeted: “Has anyone else’s ‘last seen’ on WhatsApp been automatically turned off and can’t turn it back on?!”

While another posted: “Does anyone know what’s going on with #whatsapp ? “Last seen” suddenly says nobody and I haven’t changed it.”

And one added: “Why would Whatsapp remove last seen, online and typing feature”.

It seems that the majority of WhatsApp users are still able to send and receive messages on the chat app despite this problem occurring.

The disappearance of the last seen status in WhatsApp also means the online and typing alerts also aren’t showing.

In other news:

BREAKING: Here are the official rules for legal hair cuts, manicures, or tattoos – from tonight

Personal care services – including hair salons – may legally open again from Friday night, after the publication of rules they must follow in the Government Gazette.