WhatsApp Disappearing Messages: What You Should Know

WhatsApp is set to launch its new disappearing message feature, the feature will allow WhatsApp users to enable disappearing messages (Ephemeral messaging) on chat conversations between friends.

WhatsApp messages will now automatically delete themselves after seven days. Is it a good feature for the users? Only time will tell.

“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,” says a WhatsApp spokesperson.

When the disappearing messages option is enabled, it will also wipe out photos and videos after seven days, and the messages, photos, videos will disappear for both parties.

WhatsApp said that anyone who uses the App will be able to enable the disappearing option in individual chats, and group admins will also be able to enable disappearing messages in group chats.

According to WhatsApp, once the feature has rolled out fully, the disappearing feature will be available as a new option in the contact section of each friend in WhatsApp.

WhatsApp’s disappearing message feature will not however wipe out older messages one received or sent before it was enabled, and will only affect new messages once it’s enabled by either party.

WhatsApp users will now have more privacy than before, by turning on disappearing messages, users will get some more control over which chats are getting saved even when one forgets to delete.

Although messages on WhatsApp are already end-to-end encrypted, meaning no third-party or even WhatsApp can access these messages and read them, WhatsApp intends to improve more on levels of privacy with its new disappearing feature.

This year, WhatsApp has launched a couple of features, In June, it launched a feature enabling WhatsApp users to send and receive money for free through “Facebook Pay” after Facebook launched the digital service in Brazil.

Users must link their bank cards to their WhatsApp account and transactions are secured by a fingerprint sensor or a six-digit PIN code.

This same year, WhatsApp launched the dark mode feature which helps its users to reduce the strain on the eyes after long-time exposure to the screen.