Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is apparently testing something new. Spotted first by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature will make chats vanish after a stipulated time. It seems that the feature is in the early stages of development.
The outlet reports that it has found evidence about the new functionality in the Android beta version 2.19.275 of the app. A quick glance at screenshots implies that this feature will only be available for group chats at first. However, later on, private chat participants will likely be able to use it too.
WhatsApp’s Disappearing Messages Option Seems To Have Been Inspired By Telegram’s Secret Chats
For now, this functionality can be toggled through Group settings. Only two options seem to be available. Either you can make the message vanish after five seconds or an hour after it has been seen. Moreover, this doesn’t appear to be a message-specific feature.
Thus, you can either go all-in or make all your messages self-destruct after a predetermined time or opt-out of it altogether. It’s not know if and when WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature will be available. Since Telegram already has a similar feature, we don’t think Facebook will take long to make it widely available.
Telegram also notifies its users when someone takes a screenshot of a secret chat and we don’t know if WhatsApp will do the same. Logic dictates that this is necessary, otherwise expiring messages will be of no use. After all, the whole apparent point of this feature is to let people have peace of mind when sharing sensitive information.
The App Already Allows Users To Retract Messages
Right now, WhatsApp has a delete for all feature that lets users delete a message after it has been sent. However, there is a catch. The message must be deleted within one hour, eight minutes and 16 seconds or else you wouldn’t be able to recall it.
Moreover, you cannot wipe out all evidence that you sent a message, which kind of defeats the purpose sometimes. Additionally, a cybersecurity team has warned that media might still linger on the recipient’s phone even after you have unsent a message. However, this bug apparently affects iPhones only.
Right now, WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging app with an estimated 1.6 billion user base. Facebook is also continuously working to make it safer. For instance, in 2016 end-to-end encryption was added. This means that by default, any conversation between people is private and no one, including WhatsApp, is privy to it.
In addition to that, various privacy features are available. For instance, users can turn off last seen, disable read receipts, and hide profile pictures. Similarly, users can also decide who gets to see their status updates.
With that said, it’s worth remembering that WhatsApp creator Jan Koum reportedly left Facebook because of disagreements about data privacy and weakened encryption.
The social media giant’s track record is far from pristine as far as safeguarding user privacy is concerned. However, the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has assured users that he aims to make his products more privacy-centric. Let’s see if he makes good on that promise.