WhatsApp Introduces New Feature: Messages Will Automatically Delete After Being Read

WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform with approximately 330 million active users worldwide, is preparing to introduce a new highly anticipated privacy feature.

Until now, this feature has been limited to photos and videos under the ‘View Once’ option. Soon, it will also be available for text messages, meaning that messages will automatically delete after being read once.

According to a report from WABetaInfo, the new WhatsApp beta version has revealed a feature called ‘After Reading’, which is more advanced and distinct from the current ‘Disappearing Messages’. With this feature, messages vanish immediately after being read, without the need to wait for a set period.

Currently, WhatsApp offers disappearing messages with options of 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. However, once the ‘After Reading’ feature is activated, messages will delete from the chat box immediately after they are read. This feature is similar to the existing one for photos and videos under ‘View Once’.

During initial testing, messages permanently delete from the WhatsApp inboxes of both sender and receiver within 15 minutes after being read. If a message is not read, it will remain in the chat for up to 24 hours before it deletes itself.

This feature will be particularly useful for sharing sensitive information such as OTPs, passwords, and bank details. It is also expected to reduce the hassle associated with manually deleting messages using options like ‘Delete for Everyone’.

Translation Feature for iPhone Users

Additionally, Meta is testing a built-in chat translation feature for iPhone users, which will enable instant translation of WhatsApp messages into more than 21 languages. Since this translation system runs locally on the device, it ensures user privacy is maintained.

As digital privacy becomes increasingly important, apps like Signal and Telegram have prioritized self-destructing messages and end-to-end encryption. In this competitive market, WhatsApp is also enhancing its features to be more secure and user-friendly.

The new feature is currently being tested in the Android beta version (2.26.12.2) and remains under development. After successful testing, it is expected to be rolled out to all users in the near future, significantly enhancing privacy protection for WhatsApp users.

Agency