Download Whatsapp Cnet
Harold Guildford
WhatsApp Messenger was recently acquired by Facebook, and while that doesn't mean a big change to the app in the near future, it makes me wonder how Facebook plans to use it. Whatsapp is already incredibly popular around the world, so any news about changes to the app will be watched closely. Should we expect WhatsApp to continue in its current form alongside Facebook's own separate messaging app or will Facebook's offering suddenly have the same features, as Whatsapp rides off into the sunset? It's hard to know at this time, but check back here for more information and an updated review when any new Facebook chat app becomes available.
When it comes to privacy, it's hard to beat Signal's offer. It doesn't store your user data. And beyond its encryption prowess, it gives you extended, onscreen privacy options, including app-specific locks, blank notification pop-ups, face-blurring antisurveillance tools and disappearing messages.
So what will it involve? If you select Chat Lock on a certain chat, it'll disappear from your general inbox and instead be in another folder that's only accessible with your phone's password or fingerprint. Any notifications that hit your phone for that locked chat will also have the sender and message hidden.
The ability to move your chat history is just the latest new feature in WhatsApp. Earlier this year, the app unveiled a new Shops feature, to let customers ask businesses questions before buying, and View Once, to show photos and videos one time before they disappear, similar to Snapchat's disappearing messages.
WhatsApp is currently rolling out a new feature that allows you to turn on disappearing messages for specific conversations. When it's enabled, all of your messages will disappear from a chat after seven days.
Turn on Disappearing Messages by tapping on the contact or chat's name at the top of your screen. Select Disappearing Messages from the list of options and then tap On.
Facebook also is touted its Whatsapp Status feature, which more than 450 million people use every day. The platform is similar to Instagram Stories and allows users to share text, photos, videos and animated GIFs that disappear after 24 hours.
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