WhatsApp Tests Read-Triggered Disappearing Messages

[MacRumors]

WhatsApp is getting a new setting for disappearing messages that causes them to vanish based on a countdown that starts only after they've been read.

Spotted by WaBetaInfo in the latest WhatsApp TestFlight beta, the new option starts a countdown after the recipient reads the message, rather than starting the countdown when the message is sent.

The countdown options with the "After reading" setting chosen include the usual "5 minutes," "1 hour," and "12 hours." The setting appears in the "Default messsage timer" menu, so perhaps WhatsApp will find a different home for the option or (more likely) rename the settings page to something like "Message timer options."

The new feature is said to be available to "some" beta testers on iOS and Android, but WABetaInfo believes that some users on the public WhatsApp version on the App Store may have access to the option already.

Disappearing messages can be set as the default behavior for all new chats on the end-to-end encrypted messaging platform, so this new After reading option will likely be a welcome addition for particularly privacy-conscious users, and it could also be a potential storage-saver for heavy users of the app.

Article Link: WhatsApp Tests Read-Triggered Disappearing Messages

 

[racerhomie]

You can leave it read on notifications, and dismiss it

 

[applemanit]

Snapchat?

 

[droplink]

All I got is this...

 

[123]

Not very useful. Can they finally roll out the nickname system, so people don't have to give their number?

 

[Seanm87]

What if I have read receipts off?

 

[Obry]

Rolling out to majority of users 2036? Seems like they “release” stuff and make it available to 3 people and then slowly roll it out over the course of a decade

 

[JitteryJimmy]

After reading option will likely be a welcome addition for particularly privacy-conscious users, and it could also be a potential storage-saver for heavy users of the app.​

Hopefully no privacy-conscious users will be tricked into believing that this feature somehow protects their privacy.

 

[Taq'aix]

MacRumors is basically “we steal rumors Chinese social media users because we can’t do our own research”.

Lazy journalism.

 

[O.N.Y.X]

a welcome addition for particularly privacy-conscious users

LOL privacy-conscious users don’t use Whatsapp.

 

[ThomasJL]

More garbage from Mark Scammerberg.

 

[svish]

Good to know. Not sure if it is beneficial in group chats. Anyway I don't use the app much but it is good to know about this development.

 

[amaze1499]

Or you could just stop using this “free” surveillance platform once after all.

 

[GuilleA]

Rolling out to majority of users 2036? Seems like they “release” stuff and make it available to 3 people and then slowly roll it out over the course of a decade

Like Liquid Glass. I still don't have it in mine.