WhatsApp is planning to release a new version of its software that will prohibit users from taking screenshots of view-only messages. According to WABetaInfo, the new WhatsApp version will not allow users to take screenshots of images and videos in order to view a single message. Although the feature is currently only available to beta testers, it will soon be made available to all users.
What are WhatsApp View Once messages?
The View Once feature, which was released in 2021, is similar to Snapchat and Instagram’s self-destructing videos and images. WhatsApp claims to provide users with greater privacy, including the ability to send content that can only be viewed once by the recipient before disappearing and becoming inaccessible.
“While taking photos or videos on our phones has become such a big part of our lives, not everything we share needs to become a permanent digital record,” reads a statement posted by the messaging app back in August.
“On many phones, simply taking a photo means it will take up space in your camera roll forever.”
“That’s why today we’re rolling out new View Once photos and videos that disappear from the chat after they’ve been opened, giving users even more control over their privacy.”
“For example, you might send a View Once photo of some new clothes you’re trying on at a store, a quick reaction to a moment in time, or something sensitive like a wifi password.”
But the feature has since been criticised, as it emerged that WhatsApp overlooked the fact anyone could simply screenshot the content. which defeats the entire purpose and does not make it a “private” feature.
When will the screenshot-blocking feature be available to users?
A year after the feature was announced, WhatsApp CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that a screenshot-blocking feature was on the way to address this issue. Screenshot blocking is beginning to appear, according to app beta testers. Users attempting to capture a screenshot of View After that, the message “can’t take screenshot due to security policy” will appear. There is no set date for when this will be available to all users, but WhatsApp says it is “testing this feature now and is excited to roll it out to users soon.”
