Viber Messaging App to Gain Self-Destructing Conversations Feature

[MacRumors]

Globally popular messaging platform Viber will add a new self-destructing chat feature to its iOS app later this week (via The Verge).

The new feature, called "Secret Chats", gives users the option of starting entire conversations that self-destruct after a certain time limit.

Users can prevent messages within the secret chat threads from being forwarded to other conversations. The feature also notifies users on iOS when someone takes a screenshot, and blocks screenshots altogether when chat threads are viewed on an Android smartphone. As with all Viber chats, the messages are end-to-end encrypted, while users can also opt to hide Secret Chats behind a PIN code.

The feature comes hot on the heels of the "Secret Messages" feature the company introduced earlier this year that lets users specify how long individual messages can be accessed for after being viewed by the recipient.

Viber has more than 800 million registered users worldwide, with particularly strong followings in parts of Asia and across eastern Europe and northern Africa.

Article Link: Viber Messaging App to Gain Self-Destructing Conversations Feature

 

[zohaali146]

Great

 

[iDento]

Creepy & useful

 

[riverfreak]

That should probably read "secret" messages so that no one takes it literally.

 

[jlc1978]

While this is good one can still simply use a camera to photograph a screen to retain copies without thecsender knowing. Complete destruction is not achievable if someone really wants to keep a copy

 

[RightMACatU]

"Self-Destructing Conversations", a feature that certain Twitter accounts should have

 

[Supermacguy]

I don't understand the self-destruct. It's useful for "the user" right, but if NSA is intercepting everything, if it's transmitted once they have it already, right?

 

[Boatboy24]

Do people really have this much to hide?

 

[now i see it]

The concept is to mimic spoken conversation. Everything gets said, but nothing is recorded. The problem w email & txt is whatever you say could potentially be used against you for eternity.

 

[NomadicTy]

Is their end to end encryption just like whatsapp's? Meaning they can turn it on and off without the users knowing?

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

Stupidest. Idea. Ever. Has anyone ever heard of a screenshot?

 

[C DM]

Stupidest. Idea. Ever. Has anyone ever heard of a screenshot?

Seems like that was covered in the article:

The feature also notifies users on iOS when someone takes a screenshot, and blocks screenshots altogether when chat threads are viewed on an Android smartphone.

 

[coolfactor]

I stopped using Viber when they raised the price of stickers beyond what I'm willing to pay.
[doublepost=1489164574][/doublepost]

Stupidest. Idea. Ever. Has anyone ever heard of a screenshot?

So, as you've been corrected, screenshots are monitored. I guess iOS notifies the front app when a screenshot is taken, which is very smart.

But that doesn't stop someone from taking a picture of their phone with another camera.

 

[Apple_Robert]

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

So, as you've been corrected, screenshots are monitored. I guess iOS notifies the front app when a screenshot is taken, which is very smart.

But that doesn't stop someone from taking a picture of their phone with another camera.

Precisely. And that is the problem with apps such as this. It gives a false sense of security. Why pretend this communication is any more secure than a normal iMessage thread? It’s not. At all. Maybe they should have an in app purchase for double secret security. Triple factor authentication for the most important threads!

 

[C DM]

Precisely. And that is the problem with apps such as this. It gives a false sense of security. Why pretend this communication is any more secure than a normal iMessage thread? It’s not. At all. Maybe they should have an in app purchase for double secret security. Triple factor authentication for the most important threads!

Well, it might not be perfectly secure, but the additional features do seem to give it more potential security/privacy than just basic iMessage or some other message.