Messages vanish like magic after the recipient reads them, and cannot be saved, forwarded, or recorded in any way. This is the promise made by the most popular messaging app, WhatsApp, through a new feature currently being tested for Android users.
According to specialized reports, the feature, known as the ‘view once’ option, allows users to send text messages that the recipient can open only once. Once viewed, the message disappears and cannot be accessed again, giving senders greater control over how long their messages remain on another device.
This development comes after the feature was previously limited to photos, videos, and voice messages, despite WhatsApp earlier efforts to expand it to include text as well.
To activate the feature, after typing a message in the chat bar, the user can press and hold the send button. A dropdown menu will appear allowing the selection of ‘Send as view once message’. After sending, the recipient will not be able to copy, forward, or share it in any way within the app.
Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, aims to enhance privacy by preventing screenshots and screen recordings while these messages are displayed. However, the possibility of photographing the message using an external device remains.
The feature is still under development and has not been officially rolled out to users.
Meta also announced the global launch of a smart business agent via WhatsApp, aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.
In other updates, the app is preparing to introduce a feature allowing Android users to log out without deleting conversations in the coming weeks.
The company is also considering paid subscription models, with a WhatsApp subscription possibly priced at $2.99, compared to $3.99 each for Instagram and Facebook.
