WhatsApp is rolling out a major voice memo update that lets users send private messages that disappear after being listened to once.
The new “view once” option increases the security and privacy of the popular communication app.
New feature adds temporary voice memos
In its latest update, WhatsApp introduces the possibility of sending ephemeral voice messages on iOS and Android. Recipients can only play “view once” voice memos once before they disappear.
Tapping the “1” icon while recording a voice message activates the new privacy mode. Prevent recipients from saving, exporting, forwarding, or recording audio.
Improves the privacy of WhatsApp users
Viewing voice memos once gives users more control over their privacy. Listeners cannot access or redistribute the audio after initially dismissing the message.
For sensitive communications, temporary voice memos provide assurance that they cannot be inappropriately used, stored or shared without consent. Users retain discretion over what is permanently saved.
Recipients lose access after a single play
Once a user sends a view-once voice note, the recipient can play it only once within the WhatsApp chat. After discarding the message, access is permanently lost.
Users cannot play single view notes or recover them after accidentally skipping or ignoring the message. This ensures privacy when transmitting temporary information.
Opt-in functionality in testing
WhatsApp has started rolling out the ability to view a single voice note to some beta testers on iOS and Android after installing the latest versions of the app.
But the feature remains optional. Users can still send normal voice messages that recipients can play. Tapping the “1” icon activates ephemeral privacy mode.
Additional Voice Memos Updates Introduced
In addition to seeing notes once, WhatsApp made other updates to optimize the voice messaging experience in recent beta versions.
A new menu allows users to easily switch between voice and video recording modes to avoid accidental switches. This menu is currently being tested on both iOS and Android.
Comes after the launch of multi-device functionality
The voice memo privacy option follows another major expansion: the ability to link WhatsApp to multiple devices. Users can now sync chats between phones and computers.
While convenient, critics worry that the multi-device feature could enable cheating by making it easier to hide conversations. Once-viewed notes help offset privacy concerns.
Older Androids will lose support for WhatsApp
However, Android users with very outdated operating systems will lose WhatsApp completely next month. The company plans to stop supporting Android 4.0.4 and earlier.
This affects some owners of older Galaxy phones and other Android phones who are unable to upgrade to newer versions of the operating system. They will need to obtain compatible devices.
In short, WhatsApp’s latest additions give users more discretion and control over private communications. Unique voice memo display offers greater flexibility tailored to sensitive conversations.
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Categories: Technology
Source: vtt.edu.vn