WhatsApp has launched a new feature titled ‘View Once’ for photos and videos to give users more control of their privacy. The feature enables users to send disappearing media that cannot be saved or forwarded further by the recepient.
WhatsApp follows in the footsteps of Snapchat and Instagram by giving users the option to send media intended to be viewed just once. All WhatsApp users with the recent version will have access to this ‘View Once’ feature starting this week.
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How Does the View Once Feature for Photos and Videos Work?
Users can use the view once media option every time they want to send a view once photo or video. The media will then be marked with the “one-time” icon.
Pictures and videos sent using the ‘View Once’ feature is only viewed once by the recipient, cannot be forwarded or saved or shared. However, recipients can take screenshots or screen recordings of the media before it disappears. The sender will not receive any notification about the above action.
Only users who availed of the blue tick option will be able to notice that the media has been opened.
If the receipt does not open the media within 14 days from the end date, the media will automatically expire.
WhatsApp points out that the disappearing media might be saved on WhatsApp’s servers “for a few weeks” after it was sent. Similarly, if the recipient chooses to report the disappearing content to WhatsApp, the company will be able to access it.
How to send WhatsApp Disappearing Photos and Videos on iPhone
- Launch an individual or group chat
- Tap the camera icon to select the media you want to send.
- Click the 1 icon feature and Send.
How to send WhatsApp Disappearing Photos and Videos on Android
- Open an individual or group chat
- Tap the ‘attach’ paperclip icon, and then tap:
- Select preferred media.
- Click the 1 icon feature and Send.
How to send WhatsApp Disappearing Photos and Videos on WhatsApp web
- Open an individual or group chat
- Click the ‘attach’ paperclip icon, then click either:
- The camera icon to take a new photo with your camera
- The Photos & Videos icon to select an existing photo or video from your computer
- Click the 1 icon feature and Send.