WhatsApp is working a new Snapchat-like feature which will make messages disappear

• WhatsApp is working on a new feature to make messages disappear from Group chats, like on Snapchat.
  
• The feature, currently in the alpha stage of development, will let users choose between a message expiring in five seconds or one hour.
  
• Once the message disappears, there will be no trace of it left behind in the group chat.
  

Facebook-owned messaging service, WhatsApp, is reportedly working on a new feature that will allow messages to disappear — just like they do on Snapchat.

The messages will disappear automatically and users can set the expiration time to either five seconds or one hour, according to WABetaInfo.

Disappearing messages are currently only being tested for groups. Once selected, it applies to all the messages sent. It will not be possible to segregate between sending one disappearing message, while keeping other messages regular.

WABetaInfo claims that once a message is removed, there will be no traces of it left behind in the group chat. Currently, if a user deletes a message, WhatsApp leaves a notification behind stating ‘This message was deleted’.

It’s probably going to be a long wait

Disappearing messages would be a welcome move to add a level of privacy over and above end-to-end encryption. But intervals at which messages disappear would better suit user requirements if expanded beyond just the two choices.

While the feature may be similar to Snapchat, there is no word on whether or not users will be notified if a screenshot is taken of their message before it disappears.

The new feature is currently in the alpha stage of development. This means that WhatsApp has only just started to work on it and there could be changes to come.

There’s no expected deadline for when it might finally roll out for regular WhatsApp users.

See also:
How WhatsApp was extensively abused during India elections

Indian government has found a way to trace WhatsApp messages without breaking encryption

The Indian government wants to build its own WhatsApp for official communication