Meta-owned WhatsApp is working on a new feature. It may let messages disappear automatically after they are read. According to Times Now citing WABetaInfo, "Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.15.11 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that makes messages disappear after they're sent or read."
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Currently, WhatsApp offers disappearing messages with fixed timers of 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, all of which begin counting from the moment a message is sent. The new "after reading" option starts the timer only after the message is opened and read. This gives users more control, especially for private chats.
How the new feature works
The new feature would introduce more flexible timing choices alongside the existing disappearing messages setting. Users may get multiple duration options such as 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 12 hours. If a user selects 5 minutes, the message disappears 5 minutes after the recipient reads it. If the message is opened hours after being sent, the countdown begins only at that point.
Two ways to control message visibility
WhatsApp would offer two distinct options for controlling how long messages remain visible. The first one is the existing timer. This starts from the moment of sending. For example, if users select 24 hours, the message disappears from both devices 24 hours after sending, even if the recipient has not read it yet. The second is the new "after reading" timer. On the sender's device, the message disappears 5 minutes after sending regardless of whether the recipient has read it. On the recipient's device, the countdown begins only once the message is read. If the recipient reads the message three hours after it was sent, it disappears from their device three hours and five minutes later.
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According to Times Now citing WABetaInfo, "The after reading option will offer a more precise level of control over message privacy compared to traditional timers. It ensures that messages remain visible only for a short period after users view them, rather than simply counting down from when users send them." It added, "This option can help users share sensitive information with greater confidence." The feature will help people who often share personal details, OTPs, or private information. It is still being tested and may first come to beta users before a full release.
