WhatsApp could bring view-one option for text messages, says a report
WhatsApp is reportedly working on a feature that would allow text messages to be viewed only once. The same feature is already available for video, images and audio files on the messaging platform.
Although Meta removed end-to-end encryption from its popular social media platform, Instagram, it appears to be taking extra care of privacy in the case of WhatsApp. The popular messaging app is reportedly working on a new feature that will allow users to send text messages in view-one option. If the report turns out to be accurate, then it will give an extra control to the message sender and privacy over how others view and store their messages.
The feature is under development currently, according to WABetaInfo, who spotted the update on the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.22.7 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. As of now, users can send photos, videos and audio messages in view-one options. They can enable the view-one feature by tapping the button placed inside the chat bar.
How will WhatsApp text messages in view-one function
First, let's understand what View-one is. It is a feature that protects any shared media files, such as videos, photos, or audio, by preventing them from being saved, forwarded, or recorded, or captured in screenshots. In other words, it provides an extra layer of privacy by adding a kind of time-limited information.
If the view-once option for text messages rolls out, according to the report, users will be enabled to use the feature by long-pressing the Send button. This will open a dropdown menu with multiple options. Users can click the “Send as view once” from the options to apply the feature to the message. And once the recipient opens the text, it will appear only once.
According to the report, WhatsApp is currently developing a view-once option for text messages, though it has not yet been made available to users or beta testers. The company has not announced an official release timeline, but the feature is expected to reach beta testers in a future update before eventually rolling out to all users.
From time to time, purported updates about WhatsApp keep surfacing online, suggesting that the messaging platform is introducing another layer of privacy for its users. Just a few days ago, a report suggested WhatsApp is testing a feature called “spoiler messages.” This feature is also meant to add an another extra layer of privacy to WhatsApp users. Once you send a text message by turning on the spoiler messages feature, the receiver will see the text hidden behind a blurred layer. To view the message, the receiver would need to tap it. This feature can be useful to send some sensitive messages that can be an OTP, a phone number, or something else.