NEW YORK (Kashmir English): WhatsApp has introduced a new privacy-focused feature that will allow users to send messages that automatically disappear after being read.
According to a report by WABetaInfo, the feature is currently available in beta versions of Android and iOS devices.
The new tool adds an “after-read timer” to WhatsApp’s existing disappearing messages feature, giving users greater control over private conversations.
Under the updated system, messages will remain visible in the recipient’s inbox until they are opened and read. Once viewed, the messages will automatically disappear according to the selected timer.
Currently, WhatsApp’s disappearing messages feature deletes chats after preset durations of 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. However, users often complained that important messages could disappear before being read.
The newly introduced after-read timer aims to solve this issue by ensuring that messages remain accessible until the recipient actually opens them.
According to the report, WhatsApp plans to offer three after-read timer options:
- 5 minutes
- 1 hour
- 12 hours
Once the selected timer expires after the message has been read, the content will automatically vanish from the chat.
The feature is still being tested in beta versions, and the company has not yet confirmed when it will be rolled out globally for all users.
WhatsApp to launch its own cloud storage feature
WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to back up their chats directly to its own cloud storage, offering an alternative to existing backup options.
Currently, Android users rely on Google Drive, while iPhone users use iCloud to store their chat backups. However, according to reports by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is now testing its own encrypted cloud storage system.
The new feature, currently available in the beta version for Android devices, will provide users with an additional backup option alongside Google Drive. Users are expected to receive 2GB of free storage under this service.
A key highlight of this development is that all data stored in WhatsApp’s cloud will be end-to-end encrypted by default, enhancing privacy and security. At present, while personal chats on WhatsApp are automatically end-to-end encrypted, users must manually enable encryption for backups.
With the new system, this extra step may no longer be required, as encryption will be built into the cloud storage itself.
Reports also suggest that WhatsApp may introduce a paid plan offering up to 50GB of cloud storage for around $1 per month.
Since the feature is still under testing, there is no official timeline yet for its rollout to all users.
