WhatsApp update

WhatsApp has introduced a number of new privacy features, intended to make it easier to control what you share.

As a bonus, WhatsApp also announced that users will have a longer time to delete messages. Previously, the limit was 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds. It could be useful during an argument but drastic if you just wanted to slip out. WhatsApp has offered the option to set messages to “view once” for a while. That also worked the other way – if you turned off your own online status, then you couldn’t see anyone else’s either. It is presumably intended to make people feel more engaged, but can be prying.

Privacy updates coming this month will let WhatsApp users choose who can see them online and prevent screenshots of 'view once' messages.

Rolled out last year, this feature makes photos and videos disappear immediately after they’ve been seen by the recipient. The way the app works now, anyone on a user’s contact list can see when they are online – which Meta has now realised isn’t ideal for people who like to keep their online activity private. This includes the ability to leave a group chat without all participants being notified.

WhatsApp is rolling out a new privacy-focused update this month, including a way to hide your "last seen" status from specific contacts and the ability to ...

This feature’s still in testing, but WhatsApp says it’ll start rolling it out to users “soon.” While this was a step in the right direction, it still allows your entire list of contacts to see whether you’re online. WhatsApp says it’ll start rolling out these two features this month and that it’s also working on a way to block users from taking screenshots of “view once” messages.

WhatsApp will now allow users to silently leave group chats and control who can see if they're online, as part of new privacy features announced today by ...

“And to spread the word about these new features, we’re also kicking off a global campaign, starting with the UK and India, to educate people about how we work to protect their private conversations on WhatsApp.” In an Instagram Story post announcing the brand new features, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg said: “We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations.” Ami Vora, head of product at WhatsApp also said: “We believe WhatsApp is the most secure place to have a private conversation.

The messaging platform is going to introduce two new updates to users this month and is trialling another privacy setting that it hopes to bring on board in the ...

The update is reminiscent of an update introduced by Snapchat a few years ago where they allowed users to set whether pictures could be screenshotted. Zuckerburg went on to say on Facebook "[The updates] prevent screenshots on view once messages. However, up until now 'view-once' still allows anyone who receives an image to screenshot the photo without notifying the sender. This update would introduce a screenshot block mode where the receiver would not be able to save anything sent to them through the 'view-once' method. When this is introduced, a user would not be able to screenshot photos sent through the ‘view-once’ technique, something that would be a significant change in how the model operates currently. This privacy update means regardless of the size of the chat members will be able to discreetly leave and only group admins will be informed of a member's exit.

The 'Leave Groups Silently' update will allow users to exit groups without everyone involved knowing about it.

The feature is being rolled out to all users this month. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company would “keep building ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations.” Meta said it is currently testing the new features and ‘looks forward to rolling it out to users soon.”