Global Rollout Imminent: WhatsApp’s ‘View Once’ Feature for Disappearing Voice Messages Set to Launch Worldwide Soon
WhatsApp is elevating its privacy game by expanding the View Once feature, initially introduced for text, photos, and videos in 2021, to now include voice messages. Under the ownership of Meta, the instant messaging platform aims to provide users with greater control over their shared content. With this new addition, users can set voice messages to automatically disappear once the recipient has listened to them. Similar to the View Once photos and videos, these ephemeral voice messages will be identifiable by the “one-time” icon and can only be played once.
This feature proves particularly useful for instances where users need to share sensitive information, plan surprises, or transmit confidential details such as credit card information and streaming app credentials without worrying about their persistence or potential sharing. Meta announced this noteworthy addition via a blog post on Thursday, December 7, highlighting View Once voice messages as an exemplar of the company’s ongoing commitment to privacy innovation.
Reassuring users about the security of their shared content, WhatsApp ensures that, like its self-destructing photos and videos, disappearing voice messages are protected by default with end-to-end encryption. This added layer of security aligns with the platform’s dedication to safeguarding user privacy.
For those eager to experience this enhanced privacy feature, the rollout of View Once voice messages is set to take place globally in the coming days. As WhatsApp continues to evolve its offerings, this expansion of the View Once feature underscores the platform’s commitment to providing users with secure and privacy-centric communication tools.
How to send a View Once voice message on WhatsApp
- Open a chat window on WhatsApp.
- Tap and hold on the microphone icon in the bottom-right corner of the chatbox.
- Swipe up to lock the recording Tap on and hold the record.
- Tap the stylised View Once icon.
- Tap Send once you’ve finished recording your message.
After the recipient hears the voice clip, the voice message will disappear from the chat. It will be replaced with text that reads “opened”. The View Once messages will vanish from the chat if the recipient does not open them within 14 days after they were sent. Also, users can not forward, save, star, or share voice messages that were sent or received with view once media is enabled.