Not too surprising for those who use Telegram or even other messaging applications from the same family as Menlo Park, from Instagram direct messages to Messenger. Not to mention Snapchat. But WhatsApp remains the most popular platform and every change or new feature affects over two billion users around the world. The latest one, actually quite early (it was seen in the beta version 2.21.15.11 for Android), will allow you to send a photo or video of which only one view will be allowed. Then the content will no longer be accessible. Ideal solution for information considered more delicate or sensitive and which you do not want to remain in the interlocutor’s availability or in the conversation history.
How does “View once” work? In a very simple way: Once-viewable photos and videos will disappear from the chat when opened. The message that contains them includes a green icon with “1” in the center, to distinguish the particular type of message. In short, those who receive it know that they will have only one opportunity to watch it, even if there does not seem to be a timer such as on Telegram. After opening, the message will contain the formula “Open message”, Only if the recipient has activated the blue check for confirmation of reading. These contents, like the traditional ones, are obviously end-to-end encrypted. Indeed, the colossus insists that it is an even more suitable method for delicate or secret communications.
In summary, the photos and clips sent in this way they are not saved in the gallery smartphone, with a nice saving of space if the option has been activated, they can be viewed only once, therefore they cannot be forwarded to other contacts or saved. Not only that: they expire after 14 days and it is not possible to save them as special messages. The option is so to speak with granular activation: it must be set every time you want to protect a content in this way.
Also recently, in June, Mark Zuckerberg announced other news in addition to the one just included in the latest update of the app for iPhone and Android: the confirmation of the arrival, by the summer, of multi-device support, with which can be set the same number of WhatsApp across multiple smartphones and tablets. This feature, which supports up to four devices (but only one smartphone, which therefore remains central for the control and configuration of the other four additional devices such as PCs and tablets that can work even without a telephone connection), is currently only available in the latest beta version of WhatsApp on Android or iPhone. Soon, therefore, it will arrive for everyone.
Going back to “View once”, however, you have to pay attention: in a help article on the new option, it is the same application that reminds you that the contents will also disappear for the sender and above all that it remains possible for the recipient take a screenshot or screen recording with the media file that is no longer visible. Contrary to what happens on Snapchat, among other things, the sender will not receive any notification in this eventuality.
On WhatsApp, do not use the dot at the end (if you are not fighting)
by Riccardo Luna
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