WhatsApp launches feature to delete messages and media after 7 days

After offering functionality that allows users delete unread messages by the recipient(s), the WhatsApp takes another step to ensure privacy in the app and announces the configuration of permanently clear conversations and media exchanged after a period of 7 days.

The feature can be turned on and off in individual conversations by anyone - in WhatsApp groups, the decision will be up to the administrators. If the functionality is enabled, messages that disappear will also delete sent media, such as photos and videos, within seven days.

We point out, however, that despite the feature to delete messages for the participants of a conversation, it will still be possible to take screenshots of the screen or copy the messages before they are deleted, so you still need to be careful with what is shared by the application.

For your WhatsApp to start cleaning conversations within a week, you must enable missing messages option manually by contact or group. Once activated, the setting will only affect the media and texts exchanged.

“We'll start with seven days because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren't permanent, yet remain practical so you don't forget what you were talking about. Your shopping list or a store address you received a few days ago will remain in the app for as long as you need it, and will disappear when you no longer need it.”

WhatsApp spokesperson for The Verge website

According to WhatsApp, the new functionality to delete messages and media will be available to all users this month.

Other new WhatsApp features

For those who need to free up space on their cell phones, WhatsApp has launched a new layout of your space management tool, organizing files by type and weight. In this way, it is much easier to identify which are the heaviest, or which are taking up more space, and delete them from your smartphone.

The new tool should reach all users still this week and can be accessed in two ways. The first is through a banner that will appear on the app's home screen, saying that your phone's storage is almost full. By tapping on it, the app will direct you to the space management tool. The second way is by doing the path: Settings > Storage and data > Manage storage.

According to rumors, other features that WhatsApp is developing are the support connecting a single account on multiple devices, copying and synchronizing messages from one to another, and launching a iPad app version.

If it proves to be real, chat synchronization should eliminate the headache of many smartphone users who change not only devices, but operating systems: the functional bases of iOS and Android differ in their programming, which makes it difficult to keep a copy needs incoming messages if the previous device is backed up from an Android device.

Source: The Verge