WhatsApp Mimics IRL Connections With Disappearing Texts That Vanish After A Week
Image via DenPhotos / Shutterstock.com
WhatsApp has rolled out a feature that allows messages to vanish from a chat one week after being sent.
The chat platform said users will be able to set an option for different chats—whether individual or one-on-one—to delete messages automatically after seven days. The goal of the new feature is to make conversations “feel as close to in-person as possible” so “they shouldn’t have to stick around forever.”
“We’re starting with seven days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent,” a WhatsApp spokesperson said. This can be done “while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about,” they added.
“While it’s great to hold on to memories from friends and family, most of what we send doesn’t need to be everlasting. Our goal is to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever,” they continued.
To enable the feature, simply go into the chat you want to use it in, tap a contact name and click on “disappearing messages.”
The company confirmed that either user of the conversation can activate the feature for themselves, though it can only be set by admin users for group chats.
Introducing disappearing messages. Now you can set chats to disappear after 7 days. Because not all messages need to stick around forever. pic.twitter.com/3Ny2mVxSaQ
— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) November 5, 2020
[via The Guardian, cover image via DenPhotos / Shutterstock.com]
Also check out these recent news
