The messenger service WhatsApp is apparently about to introduce the “expiring messages” function. As can be seen from an info page on the function and the WhatsApp FAQ, after activating the function, all messages in a chat disappear after seven days and are no longer displayed. The user has to switch on the function for each chat individually; for group chats this is reserved for the group admin. The user cannot choose another time period, it continues.

Even if you have WhatsApp seven days or no longer opens, the messages are automatically deleted, according to the WhatsApp info page about the “expiring messages”. The user may then still be able to see the message in the notifications on his mobile phone. If you answer a running message, then the quoted text of the running message “may” be retained, WhatsApp continues. Even when forwarding to chats in which no expiring messages are activated, the actually expiring message is retained.

If a user created a WhatsApp backup before an expiring message has disappeared, and plays the backup Only then, when the message has already expired, it will no longer be displayed.

WhatsApp advises that expiring messages should only be forwarded to people you trust because they copy and save them , also forward or take a screenshot or photo of it.

Media can be preserved Media embedded in messages such as By default, photos and videos end up in the photo library of the mobile phone. The media for expired messages disappear in the WhatsApp chats, but remain in the media library if automatic downloading is active.

How to activate and deactivate the “expiring messages” function WhatsApp summarized in the FAQ. When WhatsApp will publish the function is currently unclear.

(olb)