Thousands of WhatsApp users around the world have reported issues with the messaging app.

According to independent monitor Down Detector, a huge spike of problems was recorded shortly before 5pm.

The majority of these are around the last seen feature, while 24% said they are having connection problems.

Users said they cannot see when their contacts were last online, and are unable to adjust their security settings.

A map on the Down Detector website says that issues are being reported around the world, but with Europe appearing to be the epicentre.

One user posted on Twitter: "Has anyone else’s ‘last seen’ on WhatsApp been automatically turned off and can’t turn it back on?!"

Another wrote: "Why would Whatsapp remove last seen, online and typing feature"./Mirror

Shocking news went down- 'Whatsapp' having issues, users are not able to see other person online, typing and last seen & automotive switching users privacy settings to nobody. 'Do Not Uninstall', once uninstalled, it can't be installed back.#WhatsAppDown pic.twitter.com/37Vj1aZgoS

— News Leak Centre (@CentreLeak) June 19, 2020

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