WhatsApp to roll out 'After Reading' feature that auto-deletes messages 15 minutes after viewing

New Delhi: WhatsApp may soon introduce a new privacy feature. The company frequently adds new features to the app to improve user experience. The company is currently working on a feature that will automatically make the message disappear as soon as the recipient reads it. 

What is this feature?

This feature is called "After Reading." WABetaInfo, a website that tracks WhatsApp development, spotted this latest feature in the Android beta version. According to the report, the new tool will give users more control over their chats.

What is the reason of 'After Reading' feature?

The idea behind this feature is simple. Once turned on, the message will automatically disappear after the recipient reads it. 

According to the report, once the message is opened, WhatsApp will start a 15-minute countdown, and once the timer expires, the message will be deleted from both the sender and recipient's chat. 

What if the chat is not open?

If the message is not opened, it will remain available for 24 hours, after which it will automatically disappear. This feature was found in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.12.2, but it is still in development and not available for beta testing.

Who can use the feature?

This new feature is reportedly useful for WhatsApp users who frequently share confidential information like OTPs, passwords, addresses, or verification codes. 

Currently, messages on WhatsApp typically remain in the chat until they're manually deleted or sent using disappearing messages. 

This new auto-delete system allows users to send texts that automatically delete immediately after being viewed, reducing the chance of private details remaining in the chat history.

What about the users with read receipts turned off?

WABetaInfo reported that the new "After Reading" feature on WhatsApp will work even if read receipts are turned off. WhatsApp typically displays a blue tick when a message is read, but some users disable this setting for privacy reasons.

Currently, Disappearing Messages offers 24-hour, 7-day, and 90-day options, but with this new feature, messages will disappear within 15 minutes. It's currently unknown when this feature will be rolled out.