WhatsApp is testing a self-destructing messages feature

guest · Oct 1, 2019

WhatsApp is testing a self-destructing messages feature
October 1, 2019
https://techcrunch.com/2019/10/01/whatsapp-self-destructing-beta/

WhatsApp users may soon get the ability to have their messages self-destruct after a set period of time. That’s according to a highly-reliable tipster who spotted the feature combing through the code of a beta version of the app.

Twitter user WABetaInfo said on Tuesday that the recently released public beta of WhatsApp for Android — dubbed v2.19.275 — includes an optional feature that would allow users to set their messages to self-destruct.
The ability to have messages disappear forever after a fixed amount of time could come in handy to users who share sensitive information with friends and colleagues on the app.

Messages could be set to self-destruct as soon as five seconds after they have been sent and as late as an hour. Additionally, an image shared by WABetaInfo shows that group administrators will have the ability to prevent other participants in the group from texting.
It remains unclear how soon — if ever — WhatsApp plans to roll out this feature to all its users.
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guest · Nov 27, 2019

WhatsApp self-destructing messages are coming soon, with a new name and settings
November 26, 2019
https://www.techradar.com/news/what...-are-coming-soon-with-a-new-name-and-settings

Self-destructing messages for WhatsApp are on the way, and a newly released beta shows a few notable changes to the way they'll work.

WABetaInfo found that in version 2.19.348 of the WhatsApp beta for Android, the self-destructing messages feature has been renamed. Previously known as Disappearing Messages, it's now called Delete Messages. The latest beta also changes the timeframes that can be used to automatically delete messages.
In earlier beta releases, it was only possible to have messages automatically deleted after fives seconds or an hour. With the new name come new options. As things stand in Delete Messages, you will be able to have messages deleted after an hour, a day, a week, a month or a year.
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guest · Dec 26, 2019

WhatsApp appears to drop plans for Self-Destructing Messages
December 26, 2019
https://mspoweruser.com/whatsapp-appears-to-drop-plans-for-self-destructing-messages/

One of the key features to Snapchat’s (arguable) success was that messages did not stick around, which encouraged users to share more easily, knowing what they post could not be held against them in the future.
It had appeared in November that Facebook was planning to bring this feature to WhatApp, with WABetaInfo finding some evidence in beta releases for Android.

It now appears to Facebook has decided to abandon this feature, and make it much more limited.
In the latest beta release for iOS the feature is now only available in groups, not individual chats, and can only be activated by admins, reports WABetaInfo.
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Beyonder · Dec 27, 2019

The disappointment intensifies...

Palancar · Dec 31, 2019

Sucks.

I do use Tutanota to create emails/messages where I set the expiration and my receipients learn they get XXX time to read them and their access is gone. As long as they don't copy them during the available XXXX time they disappear to all but me. The link is secured so if they respond to me its encrypted end to end. My tuta account is beyond secure so when they lose access I am all good!

guest · Mar 17, 2020

WhatsApp may let you set a self-destruct timer on private messages
March 16, 2020
https://thenextweb.com/apps/2020/03...et-a-self-destruct-timer-on-private-messages/

Your WhatsApp conversations may soon become a little more ephemeral. A recent Beta of the app introduced to the Google Play Store suggests WhatsApp will allow you to set a timer on messages to delete themselves in private chats, as reported by WABetaInfo.

The current implementation is less robust than the way the feature is implemented in other apps such as Messenger or Telegram, which allow you to create separate secret conversations with contact and give you more control over how long a message will remain. For now, there doesn’t even seem to be a way to only apply a timer to individual messages, although this could of course change once the feature becomes publicly available.

Still, it’s a welcome option for topics sensitive enough you don’t even trust WhatsApp‘s encryption to keep safe; there’s no better way to ensure a message won’t be read by third parties than deleting it altogether.
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BoerenkoolMetWorst · Mar 17, 2020

The current implementation is less robust than the way the feature is implemented in other apps such as Messenger or Telegram, which allow you to create separate secret conversations with contact
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Note the separate "secret" conversations. Normal conversations from those apps don't even have e2e encryption.

Still, it’s a welcome option for topics sensitive enough you don’t even trust WhatsApp‘s encryption to keep safe; there’s no better way to ensure a message won’t be read by third parties than deleting it altogether.
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Uh whut
That should be: "there’s no better way to ensure a message won’t be read by third parties not sending it over WhatsApp in the first place."
If assume a third party can read your messages, they can also read them before they're deleted. :major-facepalm:

guest · Sep 22, 2020

WhatsApp is working on self-destructing media
self-destructing images, videos, and GIFs
September 22, 2020
https://mspoweruser.com/whatsapp-working-on-expiring-media/

WhatsApp has been working on self-destructing messages for quite a while now, but now, it seems the the Facebook-owned company is doing some modification to the feature by providing an option to send expriring photos,videos, images, GIFs. As spotted by WABetainfo, WhatsApp is working on a new feature called ‘Expiring Media,’ the pupose of which is to make sure that the media disappears from the phone after the recipent leaves the chat.

In case you forgot, the self-destructing message is a feature that lets you choose how long you want your WhatsApp messages remain visible in the chat last before they get deleted. On the contrary, the self-destructing media doesn’t give you the option to set a timer — photos, videos, GIFs get deleted only after the recipent leaves the chat.
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It’s worth noting that unlike in the case of users deleting messages in chats, WhatsApp won’t notify you when the media expires, meaning the media will completly disappear from the chat.
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guest · Nov 2, 2020

WhatsApp sheds light on the upcoming Disappearing Messages feature
November 2, 2020
https://www.neowin.net/news/whatsapp-sheds-light-on-the-upcoming-disappearing-messages-feature

WhatsApp has been quietly working on a new feature that will let it automatically delete the messages after a set duration. Called 'Disappearing Messages' the feature is rumoured to be added to WhatsApp in the future.

Now, the eagle-eyed folks at WABetaInfo have spotted a FAQ document that sheds light on the upcoming feature. According to the document, users can set a rule that will delete messages from chat history of both the parties after seven days. Disappearing Messages will work for both individual and group chats but only group admins can enable or disable the feature.
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Along with the usage, WhatsApp has also highlighted some points that users need to remember while using the feature. For starters, even though messages will disappear, users can still take a screenshot and save the messages. Disappearing Messages can also be copied and saved at a separate location so WhatsApp suggests using it with trusted contacts only.

The Disappearing Messages feature will be available for Android, iOS, KaiOS, Web and Desktop users. Once the feature is rolled out, users can tap on a contact name and enable Disappearing Messages. WhatsApp, however, has not revealed the timeline so we aren't sure when the feature will be available for the users. Furthermore, it's not clear at the moment if WhatsApp will allow users to set duration or if it will be set to seven days only.
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guest · Nov 5, 2020

WhatsApp now has disappearing messages, but there's a catch
November 5, 2020
https://mashable.com/article/whatsapp-disappearing-messages/

Facebook's WhatsApp has added a much-needed privacy feature: disappearing messages. But it seems that the company has a slightly odd idea of what this feature is for.

In a blog post Thursday, WhatsApp introduced the new feature, saying the company's 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."
Now, users can turn the feature on for one-to-one chats, and new messages sent to a chat will disappear after seven days. In groups, only admins will be able to set the feature to on or off.
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A seven-day period for disappearing messages is better than nothing, but wouldn't exactly give me peace of mind that my conversations are truly private.
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guest · Nov 13, 2020

WhatsApp Desktop for Windows 10 gets self-destructing messages with the latest update
November 13, 2020
https://mspoweruser.com/whatsapp-desktop-for-windows-10-gets-self-destructing-messages/

WhatsApp Desktop for Windows 10 has received an update. Taking the app to version 2.2045.19.0., the update brings self-destructing messages, bug fixes, and performance improvements.

For those unaware, the self-destructing message is a feature that lets you choose how long you want WhatsApp messages to last before they get deleted. When you enable disappearing messages feature, new messages sent to a chat will disappear after 7 days. You can read the changelog to more about the feature.
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WhatsApp recently added the self-destructing message feature to its mobile apps, and now, those who’re using WhatsApp Desktop on their Windows 10 PC can also use enable it. You can download WhatsApp Desktop on your Windows 10 PC from the below link, or you can go to the Microsoft Store and search for the app.
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Rasheed187 · Jan 9, 2021

WhatsApp Web Will Soon Work Without a Connected Phone

The latest Android beta build reportedly paves the way for a WhatsApp Web update that would allow users to chat with their contacts without having a connected phone.
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It's about time they come with this feature. I never understood the point of Whatsapp Desktop or Web because you would always need to have your phone connected. Then I might as well just use my phone.

https://news.softpedia.com/news/whatsapp-web-will-soon-work-without-a-connected-phone-531881.shtml

reasonablePrivacy · Jan 11, 2021

Rasheed187 said: ↑

It's about time they come with this feature. I never understood the point of Whatsapp Desktop or Web because you would always need to have your phone connected. Then I might as well just use my phone.

https://news.softpedia.com/news/whatsapp-web-will-soon-work-without-a-connected-phone-531881.shtml
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Keyboard let you type faster than a touchscreen device. Maybe this is not the case for Generation Z.
You can also just copy-paste things from other programs (text, links etc) instead of typing them or making photos of them.

Rasheed187 · Jan 11, 2021

reasonablePrivacy said: ↑

Keyboard let you type faster than a touchscreen device. Maybe this is not the case for Generation Z.
You can also just copy-paste things from other programs (text, links etc) instead of typing them or making photos of them.
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No correct, I didn't explain it clearly. It has got advantages, that's why I wanted to make use of WhatsApp Web, but I hate having to turn my smartphone on for this stuff, since normally I almost never use it. That's why I also think it's a bad trend that currently 2FA protection is based on smartphones because websites make use of SMS or authentication app.

reasonablePrivacy · Jan 11, 2021

Rasheed187 said: ↑

No correct, I didn't explain it clearly. It has got advantages, that's why I wanted to make use of WhatsApp Web, but I hate having to turn my smartphone on for this stuff, since normally I almost never use it. That's why I also think it's a bad trend that currently 2FA protection is based on smartphones because websites make use of SMS or authentication app.
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Most people have phone (at least dumbphone) near or on themselves, so they can make calls, receive calls or call back. Most people don't take laptop out using i.e. public transport, so you can't expect them to read messages sent to laptop/desktop when they are not home, so you make sms or phone call to them. That's why mobile-first instant messengers makes sense. WhatsApp and other mobile instant messengers were designed as an alternative to sms, mms and old-school calls. WhatsApp Web and Desktop is just an handy extension for that brief moment when someone is using desktop/laptop.

Rasheed187 · Jan 12, 2021

reasonablePrivacy said: ↑

WhatsApp and other mobile instant messengers were designed as an alternative to sms, mms and old-school calls. WhatsApp Web and Desktop is just an handy extension for that brief moment when someone is using desktop/laptop.
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To clarify, I understand all of this, but I'm just saying that because I personally don't use my smartphone that much, I'm very happy that certain popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram are being offered on PC's. If Instagram was only available on smartphones I would probably not be using it a lot.

I'm glad that last year, Facebook finally decided to add direct messaging to the Instagram website, I was using a third party app for that. And that's why I'm also glad that they will soon drop the requirement to keep your smartphone connected when using WhatsApp Web or Desktop. Hopefully, Win 10 will add full support for Android apps in the future, perhaps I will then also use Snapchat, for example.

wildlights · Feb 9, 2021

In my opinion, With all the terms and conditions, even with new features, a lot of users are still concerned with their privacy sad to say

guest · Apr 25, 2021

WhatsApp may add a new option for disappearing messages soon
A new 24-hour time limit has been spotted in a test build
April 25, 2021
https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/...-a-new-option-for-disappearing-messages-soon/

Late last year WhatsApp added the option to force your messages to disappear, a la Telegram. At the time the only setting was for the messages to vanish after 7 days, but according to a leak uncovered by some fanatical fans of the platform, that choice will soon be expanding. An upcoming version of the feature with an additional 24-hour option was spotted in development.

WABetaInfo, a reliable source for all things WhatsApp, shows the choice in the iOS version of the app. While this has apparently been in the works for over a month, the screenshot was the first visual indication that it's on the way.
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Exactly when the 24-hour disappearing option will show up wasn't revealed. But if it's showing up in a working UI, I'd estimate it's no more than a couple of months away from landing in a beta build. Assuming, of course, that it makes it out of the testing phase.
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guest · Aug 4, 2021

WhatsApp photos and videos can now disappear after a single viewing
August 3, 2021
https://techcrunch.com/2021/08/03/whatsapp-view-once-disappearing-photos-video/

WhatsApp said that it would soon let users send disappearing photos and videos and this week the feature will be rolling out to everybody. Anyone using the Facebook-owned messaging app can share a photo or video in “view once” mode, allowing a single viewing before the media in question goes poof. Media shared with “view once” selected will show up as opened after the intended audience takes a peek.

The company notes that the new feature could be helpful for an array of needs that definitely aren’t sending nudes, like sharing a photo of some clothes you tried on or giving someone your wifi password. In the fine print, the company would like to remind you that just because the photos or video will vanish, that doesn’t prevent someone from taking a screenshot (and you won’t know if they do).
Facebook says the new feature is a step to give users “even more control over their privacy,” [...]
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guest · Aug 19, 2021

WhatsApp Testing 90-Day Option for Disappearing Messages on Android
August 19, 2021
https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/...sages-90-days-android-beta-2-21-17-16-2513879

WhatsApp is found to be testing a new option for its Disappearing Messages feature under which it would allow users to make messages in a particular chat auto-delete after 90 days. It could come alongside an option to automatically disappear messages after 24 hours that is also reportedly in the testing phase at this moment. WhatsApp originally introduced the Disappearing Messages feature in November last year, but it has so far allowed users to make new messages vanish only after seven days.

As per a report by WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, WhatsApp for Android beta version 2.21.17.16 has carried references for the option to disappear messages after 90 days. A screenshot has also been shared by WABetaInfo that suggests the 90 days option will come alongside the existing option to auto-delete messages after seven days.
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WhatsApp also seems to have kept the 24-hour option in place that it has reportedly been testing for Android, iOS, and Web users for the last few months.
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guest · Oct 4, 2021

WhatsApp is testing additional controls for its disappearing messages
October 4, 2021
https://www.imore.com/whatsapp-testing-additional-controls-its-disappearing-messages

What you need to know

WhatsApp continues to improve its disappearing messages feature.

New controls have been added to the latest beta build that allow users to set when a message will disappear.

Click to expand...

Messaging platform WhatsApp continues to work towards improving its disappearing messages feature with a new option set to allow people to choose exactly when those messages will be wiped out.

According to WhatsApp watchers WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is now testing the ability for users to select from multiple options, giving them the power to decide how long a message will live before being deleted. In its current form, the beta allows for options including 24 hours, seven days, and 90 days.
The report also notes that WhatsApp will allow users to set a default timer, ensuring all future messages disappear after a set period of time.
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