Millions of WhatsApp users have been warned over a change to how messages are kept. As of yesterday (Thursday, June 23), the social media messaging service has introduced disappearing messages.
It means that messages can be deleted after a certain time frame. Users will have to enable the new feature but it would mean that messages would be deleted automatically after seven days.
Birmingham Live reports the feature can be turned on or off for individual chats but only admins are able to implement or disable them on group chats. It also means that even if you have not opened the message, it would still disappear after 7 days.
Read more: WhatsApp users given more control of conversations
However, you would still be able to view the message on the notification bar. If you have quoted the message, then you can access it even after 7 days.
WhatsApp warns: "Only use disappearing messages with trusted individuals. For example, it's possible for someone to: Forward or take a screenshot of a disappearing message and save it before it disappears, Copy and save content from the disappearing message before it disappears and Take a photo of a disappearing message with a camera or other device before it disappears."
You can turn on disappearing messages by default for all new individual chats. If on iPhone and Android, go to WhatsApp Settings > tap Account > Privacy > Default message timer and select a duration.
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