WhatsApp privacy introduces «view once» feature

Dominik Bärlocher

4.8.2021

Translation: Eva Francis

WhatsApp is adding to its privacy features. Facebook's subsidiary is making it possible to send photos and videos that disappear after they’ve been viewed once.

WhatsApp, the most popular global messenger app, wants to become a friend of privacy. That's why Facebook's subsidiary has rolled out a «view once» feature to initial devices. If activated, this feature makes sure the recipient of a message, video or image can view the content only once before it’s deleted.

If the message isn’t opened, it disappears from all devices and WhatsApp's servers after 14 days. But be warned: WhatsApp doesn’t alert you if the recipient of your nude photo takes a screenshot.

Dominik Bärlocher

Senior Editor

dominik.baerlocher@digitecgalaxus.ch

Journalist. Author. Hacker. A storyteller searching for boundaries, secrets and taboos – putting the world to paper. Not because I can but because I can’t not.