Disappearing Messages Coming to WhatsApp
Social media company WhatsApp has announced it will introduce disappearing messages on the app, a move ramping up its challenge to rival Snapchat.
AFP reports, the messaging service which is used by more than two billion people globally says it will enable people to choose whether to keep their messages or allow them to delete themselves after seven days.
In a blog post, WhatsApp which is owned by Facebook says the company’s goal is to make conversations on WhatsApp feel as close to in-person as possible, which means they shouldn’t have to stick around forever.
“Today, WhatsApp messages often live on our phones forever. While it’s great to hold onto memories from friends and family, most of what we send doesn’t need to be everlasting. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the option to use disappearing messages on WhatsApp.”
The social media company says there is a time frame on the disappearing messages.
“WhatsApp chose a seven-day window “because we think it offers peace of mind that conversations aren’t permanent, while remaining practical so you don’t forget what you were chatting about.”
The move comes with Facebook’s core social network losing ground to younger audiences to rivals like Snapchat and TikTok, even as Facebook-owned Instagram continues to grow in that demographic group.
