[imagesource:here]

I can think of a few reasons why someone would want to share a photo or video on WhatsApp, only to have it disappear soon after being seen once by the recipient.

There’s password sharing, secret-spilling, and then a suggestive something being sent here and there, too.

Up until now, we have had to put our trust in the hands of the recipient,  who we politely ask and remind to delete the evidence shortly after it has been sent.

Now WhatsApp has rolled out its ‘View Once’ feature, which means photos or videos will be deleted from your chat nice and quickly once the recipient has opened and seen what needs to be seen.

Although, because the recipient will be able to tell that it is a disappearing piece of media, you will still need to trust them not to screenshot and/or screen record.

The feature, which has been in beta testing for about a month, according to The Verge, can be set up like this:

• In any chat, tap the camera to take a photo or video, or tap attach to select media to upload from your device.
• Tap the new “1” icon that appears next in the message text box.
• Send it into the ether, and after the recipient opens it, it’ll be deleted.

You have to select this “1” icon every time you want to send disappearing content.

Basically, ‘View Once’ photos and videos aren’t saved to the recipient’s Photos or Gallery, so they won’t be able to forward, save, star, or share them.

Image: WhatsApp

Here’s a nifty video to show you how it all works:

Here’s the new “view once” feature for videos and still images on WhatsApp.

Despite the potential privacy uses🔒 Facebook warns it is still possible for someone to take a screenshot or screen recording of the media before it disappears.

🎬Video: Facebook pic.twitter.com/PcldU0KGp6

— Alexander Martin (@AlexMartin) August 4, 2021

The photo or video sent in ‘View Once’ mode lasts a maximum of 14 days before it expires in the chat, even if unread.

Stay savvy, folks.

[source:theverge]