WhatsApp group members now have control over disappearing messages

WhatsApp has added support for group participants to disable/enable disappearing messages in group chats.

WhatsApp disappearing messages (REUTERS)

WhatsApp rolled out disappearing messages last year in November. It has since been reported that WhatsApp is working on adding new features to disappearing messages. A new report suggests WhatsApp could add support for group members to have control over disappearing messages.

According to a report by WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing support for group members to disable/enable disappearing messages in the latest beta on Android version 2.21.8.7. Disappearing messages are available on group and personal chats but in the former it's restricted to only admins. Participants in group chats do not have any control over disappearing messages. WhatsApp is now adding an option for group members to also be able to control disappearing messages.

This decision too will however reside on the group admin. A new option will allow admins to select either “all participants” or “only admins” to change the disappearing messages setting. This feature is bundled with the ability to change other settings including the group's subject, icon and description. It will be available under the “Edit group info” feature. There's no separate option for only disappearing messages.

Even though the ultimate decision lies on the group admin, it's still good to have an option for group participants as some would prefer this kind of setting. WABetaInfo notes that this feature is rolling out to beta users so it should start showing up soon. WhatsApp is also testing a 24-hour limit for disappearing messages which is currently set at 7 days. It could also add support for disappearing images. There's no official word on when these two features will roll out.