WhatsApp on Friday (Dec 8), revealed the details of its latest feature: the ability for users to send voice messages that automatically disappear after being listened to.
While the “View Once” feature has been in place for photos and videos since 2021, the messaging platform is now extending this privacy-focused functionality to audio messages.
Notably, these messages cannot be forwarded, saved, or starred.
What does it mean?
In practice, this means heightened privacy for sensitive voice messages, offering users additional reassurance when sharing information like credit card details. But on the different side of the same coin, this also means that the trail of potentially incriminating voice messages will cease to exist, once this functionality becomes part of popular messenger app in the smartphones all over the world.
But WhatsApp said that recipients have a 14-day window to open and view a “View Once” photo, video, or audio message. After this period, the message will expire and disappear from the chat.
For added security, WhatsApp stated that unopened “View Once” media and voice messages can be restored from backups.
Source: https://www.wionews.com/technology/whatsapp-rolls-out-view-once-voice-message-feature-667691