Popular messaging platform WhatsApp is preparing to add a new one to its privacy-focused features for iOS users. According to the information shared by WABetaInfo, the company continues to work to expand the “view once” feature, which is currently offered for photos, images and voice notes, to plain text messages. This new feature, which is currently in the testing phase and has not been fully opened even to beta users, will ensure that the texts sent by users can only be opened once by the recipient. This development aims to strengthen the platform’s argument, especially regarding confidentiality, and brings about a significant change in the messaging experience.

Development Process Continues

WhatsApp is always trying new ways to protect users’ information and minimize their digital footprint. Following the previously offered automatic deletion options such as 24 hours, 7 days and 90 days, notifications that are “deleted after reading” and texts that can be “viewed once” have now come to the fore. This new feature will offer great convenience, especially for users who want to make it difficult to take screenshots and prevent temporary information from being stored permanently.

Users will now be able to send texts containing critical information in a form that allows the other party to see them only once.

The working principle of the system is quite simple. After users type their notifications in the chat bar, they will be presented with a pop-up menu by pressing and holding the send button. When the “view once” option is selected, the notification will be accessible on the recipient’s screen once. This procedure will work exactly the same as the logic in the current media sharing.

Feature Can Be Used Anywhere Except Channels

It is stated that the new feature will be active in group chats as well as personal chats. However, due to WhatsApp’s broadcast-oriented structure, it has become clear that this feature will not be offered on the channels. This suggests that broadcast notifications will remain an inherently permanent and collective means of connection. Users are expected to avoid the hassle of sending text messages as discontinuous notifications by adding them to a photo.

The new feature takes the user experience to a more practical and reliable level.

Beta Tests May Start Soon

According to the WABetaInfo report, the innovation in question is not even active on TestFlight yet. However, considering the development cycles in the software world, it seems expected that beta users will start experiencing this feature in a very short time. It will be made available for general use following feedback from beta tests.

Do you think this “view once” feature that WhatsApp introduced for text messages is sufficient for digital privacy? How often do you use such discontinuous messages in your own messaging habits? You can share your ideas with us in the comments section.