WhatsApp introduces secret text messages that disappear after one view
The WhatsApp new privacy feature is currently being rolled out to selected Android beta users.
According to WABetaInfo, the option is available to some users running WhatsApp beta version 2.26.45.6.
Previously, WhatsApp allowed users to send photos, videos and voice messages using its View Once option.
However, the latest update extends this facility to ordinary text messages, making it easier to share sensitive information without keeping a permanent chat record.
How WhatsApp View Once Text Messages Work
The new feature allows users to send disappearing text messages that recipients can open only once.
To use it, users need to type their message in the chat box and press and hold the send button. They can then select the View Once option before sending it.
When users access the option for the first time, WhatsApp displays an explanation of how it works. They must tap OK to continue.
After the message is sent, its content will not appear directly in the conversation. Instead, the recipient must tap it to open the message in a separate viewing window.
Once the recipient closes the message, it disappears and cannot be opened again. WhatsApp also marks it as opened, allowing the sender to know that it has been viewed if read receipts are enabled.
WhatsApp Blocks Screenshots and Forwarding
One of the most interesting parts of the WhatsApp View Once feature is its additional privacy protection.
Recipients cannot copy, forward or save these messages through the app. WhatsApp also blocks screenshots and screen recordings while the message is open.
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These restrictions are designed to prevent users from keeping permanent copies of secret messages on WhatsApp.
However, the protection is not completely foolproof. Someone could still use another phone or camera to photograph or record the message while it is displayed.
View Once Messages Cannot Be Scheduled
According to WABetaInfo, the current version of the feature does not allow users to schedule disappearing text messages.
This means users cannot prepare a message and set it to be delivered automatically at a later time.
It remains unclear whether WhatsApp will introduce scheduling support before the feature becomes widely available.
When Will the Feature Be Available?
The WhatsApp Android beta version 2.26.45.6 currently offers the feature to selected testers. However, not every beta user has received access yet.
WhatsApp has not announced an official release date for all Android users. It is also unclear when the feature will become available on iPhones.
