WhatsApp is testing a new self-destructing voice messages feature

Date:
Thu, 19 Oct 2023 18:53:28 +0000

Description:
WhatsApp's latest security beta also prevents people from saving or sharing the temporary messages with others.

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WhatsApp is currently testing a View Once mode for voice messages as a new layer of privacy on the mobile app.

The feature functions similarly to the disappearing images and videos present on the platform. Meta is merely expanding it elsewhere. According to WABetaInfo , a new icon sporting the number one will appear in the chat bar while you record a voice note with the lock on. Tapping said icon enables the View Once mode (well it's more like Listen Once) preventingrecipients from exporting, forwarding, saving, or recording messages. Once sent over, you,
the sender, cannot listen to it nor can the other person play it again after the first time. Its gone forever. (Image credit: Future)

As WABetaInfo points out, this tool has the potential to effectively
eliminate the risk of your personal or sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. Messages cant be shared with people outside the initial chat room, greatly reducing the odds of unauthorized access.

This update is available for both Android and iOS. If youre interested in trying out yourself, Android users can join the Google Play Beta Program and install version 2.23.78 of the WhatsApp beta. iPhone owners can try to join the TestFlight program for WhatsApp. However, at the time of this writing its no longer accepting any more entrants, although it is possible a slot could open soon. Going quiet

As for the future of WhatsApp, things will be getting a little quiet. None of the other beta features are as impactful or noteworthy as the
self-destructing voice messages. Looking through WABetaInfos other posts, we saw that Meta is working implementing avatar reactions plus a redesigned
audio and video menu for iOS . Nothing really ground-breaking.

Its not surprising the platform is going silent at the moment as 2023 has
been quite the year for WhatsApp. Its seen multiple major updates these past 10 months or so from several quality-of-life changes to eight-person video calls on the Windows desktop app. And recently, the company began testing an
A I-powered sticker generator for chats . Perhaps Meta is keeping its
projects under wraps so it can kick off 2024 in a big way.

While we have you, be sure to follow TechRadars official WhatsApp channel .
We post our latest reviews and news stories daily on there. You might also like WhatsApp is rolling out passkey support to its app here's how to set it up WhatsApp is finally catching up with Slack and Discord with new text customization options



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/whatsapp-is-testing-a-new-self-de structing-voice-messages-feature


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