Photo: WHATSAPP / copyright
WhatsApp launches a new function.
The application will now allow its users to make the photos or videos they send to their Contacts disappear after they are viewed.
Once the recipient opens the image, the “view once” option will delete it, without saving it to the phone.
According to WhatsApp, the function aims to “give users even more control over their privacy. ”
However, child advocacy groups have expressed concern that the automatic disappearance messages can help cover up evidence of child sexual abuse .
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Controversy
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (Nspcc) had already disagreed with WhatsApp’s parent company Facebook for the use of encrypted messages.
Such encryption means that the police cannot see the messages “in transit”, only the Sender and receiver can do it.
But automatic message deletion could mean that devices seized in police raids also don’t contain evidence.
“This preview feature could put children at even greater risk by giving offenders another tool to avoid detection and erase evidence, when efforts to combat child sexual abuse are already they are hampered by end-to-end encryption, ”said Alison Trew, one of the leaders of the online security charity.
WhatsApp, for its part, defends that the option will enhance the privacy of its regular consumers, saying that it could be used for disposable but personal photos, such as when someone tries on clothes in a store and asks to a friend how it looks or when a password is sent to someone.
“ Not everything we share should become a permanent digital record “, said the company.
” On many phones, just taking a photo means it will take up space on your camera roll forever. ”
New message
Users will know that a message is “see once” because the v Previous view will be hidden and a large icon with the number “1” will be displayed instead.
However, like disappearing messages in other apps such as Snapchat , it is possible for a user to take a screenshot or record the screen of the message when it is opened by first time, or shoot a screen with another camera.
The function also comes with other limitations:
- Photos will not be automatically saved to phone gallery.
- Will expire if not opened in two weeks.
WhatsApp introduced a disappearing messages feature in November.
This option deletes text messages for both sender and recipient after seven days and has become one of the areas of concern in some countries, as the United Kingdom.
British law considers the information related to “substantive discussions or decisions” should be kept on file for the historical archive.
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