WhatsApp is testing a new option: the deletion timer only starts when reading

WhatsApp is developing a feature that will give users better control over when their messages disappear. The update will introduce a new “After Reading” option alongside the existing scheduled timer.

New option for self-deleting messages

So far, users can specify in the data protection settings that sent messages are automatically deleted after 24 hours, seven or 90 days. This is exactly where the new variant comes in. The timer only starts when the recipient opens the chat and reads the message. There is also another new deletion option. WhatsApp wants to give users even more control over when messages should disappear from the recipient’s device. Previously the default setting was 15 minutes. You can now choose between 5 minutes, 1 hour and 12 hours.

With these options, WhatsApp offers users more flexibility to customize message visibility to suit their needs. Users can activate the disappearance timer for messages after reading them in all chats or in specific conversations. In the beta version 2.26.15.11 for Android, the menu item “After reading” and the new time settings have already appeared. This now reports  magazine WhatsApp Beta Info.

Messages are always deleted at some point

According to the report, the solution for data protection is that messages can always be deleted, not just when they have been read. If the sender chooses five minutes, the message remains visible to the recipient indefinitely until the chat is opened.

If the recipient only reads the message hours later, the countdown only begins then. However, there is apparently a security period of around 24 hours for messages that have not yet been opened, after which they are automatically deleted. With the new function, WhatsApp wants to expand control over sensitive content. The mode is more oriented towards actually reading a message and not just a fixed schedule. The feature is currently only visible in the Android beta and has not yet been activated. A version for iOS is also likely to be in development.