WhatsApp appears to be testing a new option that would make messages vanish automatically 24 hours after they have been sent. The feature has been in development for around a month and even though the screenshot uploaded by the site only shows it’s being tested on an iPhone, it will likely be rolled out to Android users too.
WhatsApp is currently said to be working on the new disappearing messages option
When the new version will be available is still a point for speculation.
Ephemeral content was popularized by Snapchat, and WhatsApp’s rivals Signal and Telegram also let users send self-destructing messages. Tweet’s new fleets feature works similarly.
When WhatsApp initially launched the feature last year, it said it was starting with seven days to offer “peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent, while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about.” This suggests it had plans to offer more options all along, which is hardly surprising.
There is still no way to prevent the other party from copying or screenshotting your messages, so be on your guard.
