WhatsApp Tests Read-Triggered Disappearing Messages - MacRumors
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WhatsApp Tests Read-Triggered Disappearing Messages

WhatsApp is getting a new setting for disappearing messages that causes them to vanish based on a countdown that starts only after they've been read.

Whatsapp Feature
Spotted by WaBetaInfo in the latest WhatsApp TestFlight beta, the new option starts a countdown after the recipient reads the message, rather than starting the countdown when the message is sent.

The countdown options with the "After reading" setting chosen include the usual "5 minutes," "1 hour," and "12 hours." The setting appears in the "Default messsage timer" menu, so perhaps WhatsApp will find a different home for the option or (more likely) rename the settings page to something like "Message timer options."

The new feature is said to be available to "some" beta testers on iOS and Android, but WABetaInfo believes that some users on the public WhatsApp version on the App Store may have access to the option already.

after reading
Disappearing messages can be set as the default behavior for all new chats on the end-to-end encrypted messaging platform, so this new After reading option will likely be a welcome addition for particularly privacy-conscious users, and it could also be a potential storage-saver for heavy users of the app.

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Top Rated Comments

1 day ago at 05:12 am
Not very useful. Can they finally roll out the nickname system, so people don't have to give their number?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
droplink Avatar
1 day ago at 04:45 am
All I got is this...

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
O.N.Y.X Avatar
23 hours ago at 01:57 pm

a welcome addition for particularly privacy-conscious users
LOL privacy-conscious users don’t use Whatsapp.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
racerhomie Avatar
1 day ago at 04:18 am
You can leave it read on notifications, and dismiss it
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)