Technology
WhatsApp is making HUGE change to how ‘unsending’ your texts works
WHATSAPP may be extending the length of time you have to “unsend” a message.
Currently, you have just over an hour to delete them.
WhatsAppIf you don’t like unsending texts manually, you can set them to automatically delete[/caption]
But WhatsApp is currently testing longer deletion periods.
According to WhatsApp sleuths at WABetaInfo, the time length will soon be trialled at up to two days.
This means you’d have much more time to decide whether you want to pull a text back.
And it’s a great way to make a sensitive message disappear without putting too much time pressure on someone else.
Of course, WhatsApp may decide to stick with the current time – or choose something even longer.
WhatsApp regularly tests new app features, and not all of them make it to the general release version.
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To unsend a text, simply hold your finger down on the message and choose Delete For Everyone.
If that doesn’t appear then you can’t delete the message, or you need to update WhatsApp.
Bear in mind that this system isn’t perfect either.
Someone could still screenshot or copy your texts to keep a record of them.
So if you really want to keep something off the internet, consider not posting it – unless you’re messaging someone you absolutely trust.
You can also still use the Disappearing Messages option.
This will automatically delete texts after a chosen period of time.
Enabling Disappearing Messages automatically works for all one-on-one chats.
And either party in the chat can choose the setting.
It won’t change or delete any of your existing chats, so don’t worry about losing old info.
A message will also be displayed warning people in the conversation that messages will be deleted.
This notification will reveal how long you have to read the texts before they vanish forever.
All of the Disappearing Messages remain end-to-end encrypted, just like regular WhatsApp missives.
“Living apart from family and friends for over a year has made it clearer than ever that just because we can’t physically talk in person, it doesn’t mean we should have to sacrifice the privacy of our personal connections,” said WhatsApp.
“We believe Disappearing Messages along with end-to-end encryption are two crucial features that define what it means to be a private messaging service today.
“And bring us one step closer to the feeling of an in-person conversation.”
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