Huge change to WhatsApp as ‘kept message’ function could let users save chats before they are deleted
THE popular messaging platform WhatsApp is testing 'kept message' feature that could allow its users to save chats before they are deleted permanently, according to a report.
Analysis of recent beta tests shows the messaging app, which is owned by Facebook parent company Meta, could introduce the feature in a future update, according to tech site .
Whatsapp currently allows users to have messages automatically delete in a chat.
Users can choose to have messages disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, depending on your settings
But the potential upcoming update would allow users to select specific 'kept messages', which would remain in the chat rather than be deleted.
It is a feature already adopted by rival messaging apps.
Users would be able to view and keep messages in a specific folder, but all users in a chat would be able to set the message to delete, according to the analysis.
In group chats, the administrator would reportedly have the ultimate power over whether messages disappear or can be kept.
A screenshot of a beta version of the Whatsapp desktop app shows an option which reads: "Anyone can keep or unkeep messages in the chat. Group admins can limit this."
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WABetaInfo says it is unclear when the kept messaging feature will be released, as it is still in development.
Disappearing messages are intended to improve privacy, and save storage on devices.