WhatsApp launches new disappearing messages feature
Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp on Thursday announced a new ‘Disappearing Messages’ feature on its platform for both Android and iOS.
The new feature that lets you automatically delete new messages sent to a chat after seven days when turned on.
The feature is available for individual as well as group chats. However, in group chats, the group admins will be able to enable disappearing messages in group chats.
According to Whatsapp, if a user doesn’t open WhatsApp in the seven-day period, the message will disappear. However, the preview of the message might still be displayed in notifications until WhatsApp is opened.
If disappearing messages are turned on, media sent in the chat will disappear but will be saved on the phone if auto-download is on.
Taking to Twitter, WhatsApp announced the launch of the feature by saying, “Because not all messages need to stick around forever.”
Introducing disappearing messages. Now you can set chats to disappear after 7 days. Because not all messages need to stick around forever. pic.twitter.com/3Ny2mVxSaQ
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) November 5, 2020
“Our goal is to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the option to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp,” the company said in a statement.
“We’re starting with 7 days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about. The shopping list or store address you received a few days ago will be there while you need it, and then disappear after you don’t,” says WhatsApp in its official blog.
