WhatsApp update: ‘Disappearing Mode’ reportedly in the pipeline for Android and iOS users

WhatsApp is always developing features that may or may not become available in a future update. More recently, a piece of evidence was spotted pointing to the existence of a function called “Disappearing Mode” that could be launched for Android and iOS users.

WhatsApp to allow users to set disappearing messages as a default setting?

WABetaInfo shared some clues suggesting that the Facebook-owned messaging app is working on a new privacy setting called Disappearing Mode. The source indicates it is still under development, though. So while it is expected to launch through a future WhatsApp update on Android and iOS, it is still unknown when that will happen.

WhatsApp currently offers the disappearing messages feature that can be set through the contact info and group info. Right now, there are not many options as to how long before messages disappear other than the default 7-day period. But note that there was also an earlier report hinting at having a 24-hour disappearing message option in the works.

However, the Disappearing Mode appears to be a separate option that lets WhatsApp users activate disappearing messages by default. Based on the screenshot provided by WABetaInfo, the functions come with the following description on iOS: “When this setting is on, new chats will begin with disappearing messages on.”

It then appears that the upcoming Disappearing Mode practically makes disappearing chats a default setting for WhatsApp users. For those who really value their privacy in individual and group conversations, this is going to be helpful because they no longer have to check each contact and group info just to activate the feature.

The same report and screenshot showed that, for the Disappearing Mode, WhatsApp may add a new segment in the in-app Settings menu where the new function can be turned on and off. It will then appear on the same page as the settings for sharing live location, status, list of blocked contacts, screen lock options, and read receipts.

WhatsApp has a new privacy policy

The discovery of a privacy-centered under development for WhatsApp is interesting, especially as the company has just started implementing a new policy. The new terms and conditions came under fire in the previous months as users were uncomfortable with having their user data shared with WhatsApp partners, including its parent company Facebook.

The messaging app has since been insisting that data will be collected primarily for users’ conversations with business accounts on WhatsApp. To convince people to accept the new policy, WhatsApp has also assured users that its end-to-end encryption for calls and messages will be maintained.

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash