WhatsApp has been spotted working on a feature that will add an extra layer of privacy to its users’ messages. The messaging service currently allows users to send images and videos as “view once” messages. These should disappear once viewed. A feature tracker has now discovered that WhatsApp is working on the ability to send “view once” text messages on Android. The feature is still under development, which means that beta testers cannot try it out even if they have the latest trial version installed on their phones.
according to a report by WhatsApp Feature Tracker WABetaInfo, the popular messaging service, recently rolled out version 2.22.25.20 Whatsapp for android through the Google Play Beta Program. This beta version of WhatsApp contains references to a feature that allows users to send “view once” text messages.
The “view once” feature for text messages detected by a feature tracker.
Photo credit: WABetaInfo
According to the feature tracker, WhatsApp is working on a special button next to the chat bar for users to type messages before they are sent. The send-message button also shows a lock icon, according to the report, stating that the feature’s appearance could change before it’s finally released.
WhatsApp currently prevents users from taking screenshots of view-once images and videos. Also, it is not even possible to share, forward, copy and save them. The feature tracker says it’s possible that in a future update, WhatsApp will also block screenshots when viewing “view once” messages.
Meta’s own messaging service recently introduced a new feature called “Message Yourself”. iOS and Android Users can send or forward messages to themselves. WhatsApp users can forward messages from other chats to themselves and even share content from other apps directly in a chat with themselves on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp now has it too rolls an improvement for iOS users that allows them to share media with subtitles. iPhone owners can add subtitles to forwarded media on WhatsApp, which can be removed manually. The feature is available in the latest version of the app on the App Store for iOS users.
