When thenew optionis enabled, messages will automatically be deleted after 7 days.
Its an attempt to match similar self-destructing message abilities inapps like SignalorSnapchat.
But experts say, dont think your private notes are necessarily gone forever.
Each user would have to change this setting to stop auto-downloading from WhatsApp."
Disappearing Soon on a Screen Near You
Enabling the new feature is easy.
According to aFAQ post, the new feature will also delete any photos or videos after seven days.
The disappearing message feature will be rolled out to all WhatsApp users this month, the company said.
However, youll have to trust that WhatsApp is really deleting messages, sayssecurity expert Pieter VanIperen.
Therefore, I still strongly recommend using other more secure messaging services such as Signal orThreema."
Disappearing messages offers less flexibility than its competitors, Huth points out.
For example, there is no way to change the length of time messages are stored.
But then remind yourself that when youre on the internet, its never gone forever.
Just don’t trust your darkest secrets with it.
