WhatsApp Extends Delete Messages Feature to 60 Hours 

By Adedapo Adesanya 

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to delete a message for up to two days and 12 hours (60 hours in total).

The Meta-owned service said this is being done so that users can remove an accidentally sent chat even after hours.

The development is changing the previous limit which was 1 hour, 8 minutes and 16 seconds.

WhatsApp first introduced the unsend feature back in 2017 with a time limit of just seven minutes but later increased it to one hour and eight minutes.

WhatsApp is also introducing new privacy features to its app including blocking screenshots for “view-once messages” and the ability to leave a group silently.

With the Leave Groups Silently features, WhatsApp users will be able to exit a group privately without having to notify everyone. Now, instead of notifying the full group when leaving, only the admins will be notified. This feature will start rolling out to all users this month.

In a statement, WhatsApp said, “Seeing when friends or family online help users feel connected to one another, but everyone has had times when they wanted to check their WhatsApp privately. For the times you want to keep your online presence private, WhatsApp is introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online.”

Additionally, the instant messaging application will now block taking screenshots for “View Once Messages”.

It noted that “View Once” is already an incredibly popular way to share photos or media that don’t need to have a permanent digital record.

“Now WhatsApp is enabling screenshot blocking for View Once messages for an added layer of protection. This feature is being tested and will be rolled out to users soon,” it said.

The company added that the introduction of these new features are backed by a new WhatsApp privacy study which found that 72 per cent of people value being able to speak in an honest, unfiltered way, but more than 47 per cent are only comfortable doing this in a safe, private space.

“For the times when you need more privacy, 51 per cent prefer to stay hidden online to choose who they want to talk to. 91 per cent of people who are aware of blocking features believe they are important. That is why WhatsApp is introducing new layers of protection that enable users to speak freely and have private conversations,” it said.

To spread awareness about the new features, Whatsapp will also kick off a new campaign to educate people, starting with the UK and India.