WhatsApp Expands Disappearing Messages Options. Since this week, WhatsApp has given users more say in how long specific messages last.
The chat service of Meta was already introduced, making messages disappear automatically last year. In August, a function was also added to make photos and videos disappear after viewing. Now WhatsApp goes one step further.
Until now, users had to indicate per chat whether they wanted the messages to disappear. It will be possible to check disappearing messages as the default option from now on. You can also choose from different terms: 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days. When this feature is enabled, any new private chats you or another person start will be set to disappear after the selected duration.
For specific chats, you can then still opt to save the messages. For group chats, that choice is up to the person who created the chat.
According to WhatsApp, the new feature is optional and will not impact pre-existing messages. However, if you choose to switch to disappearing chat messages by default, a message will appear in your chats to let others know that you have chosen this setting as the default. That should make it clear that deleting messages is not intended personally.
