WhatsApp Testing New “After Reading” Feature to Auto-Delete Messages
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new privacy feature called “After Reading,” which is designed to automatically delete messages shortly after they are opened.
This upcoming tool aims to give users a safer and more controlled way to share sensitive information without worrying about it remaining in chat history for too long.
According to early reports, once the feature is enabled, a message will not disappear immediately after being sent.
Instead, a 15-minute countdown will begin the moment the recipient opens and reads the message. After this short period, the message will automatically be deleted from both the sender’s and the receiver’s chats.
This ensures that private information does not stay accessible for long, reducing the risk of it being misused or seen by unintended people.
If the recipient does not open the message at all, the system will still ensure it does not stay forever. In such cases, the message will remain visible for a maximum of 24 hours, after which it will automatically disappear.
This dual-timer approach adds an extra layer of protection by ensuring that messages are temporary whether they are read or ignored.
Currently, WhatsApp already provides a disappearing messages feature, where users can choose to have messages deleted after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. However, the new “After Reading” feature is being developed to serve a different purpose.
It is specifically designed for situations where users need messages to vanish much faster, making it ideal for sharing one-time passwords (OTPs), verification codes, private addresses, or other confidential details.
Another important detail is that the feature is expected to work even if read receipts (blue ticks) are turned off.
Many users disable this setting for privacy reasons, but WhatsApp’s system will still be able to detect when a message has been opened and trigger the deletion timer automatically.
This means the feature will function independently of user settings related to read confirmations.
The new tool builds on WhatsApp’s existing View Once feature, which already allows users to send photos, videos, and voice notes that disappear after being opened a single time.
With “After Reading,” this idea is being expanded further to include text messages, giving users more flexibility and control across all types of communication.
The feature was first noticed in the latest Android beta version of WhatsApp by a feature tracker. However, it is still under development and has not yet been released, even to beta users.
Developers are reportedly still testing how the countdown timer will work and how smoothly it can be applied across individual chats, group chats, and different message formats.
Once officially launched, the “After Reading” feature is expected to attract users who frequently share sensitive or time-limited information.
It will provide a convenient way to ensure messages are automatically cleared without the need for manual deletion, making conversations more secure and private.
Join Kenya Govt Official WhatsApp Channel to stay updated on time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
