WhatsApp is taking another significant step to enhance user privacy. According to reports, the company is testing a new media privacy feature in its Android beta version. This feature will prevent automatically saving sent photos and videos to the recipient's phone. This update may be rolled out to all WhatsApp users in the future, giving senders more control over media files shared during chats.
New Media Control Feature: User Defined Settings
This feature will allow WhatsApp users to determine whether the media they send is saved to the recipient's device or not. Previously, sent photos and videos automatically saved to the recipient's gallery. However, this update provides users with manual control. Users can disable the chat's media auto-save feature, limiting sent files to viewing only.
Similar Experience to Disappearing Messages
This new feature will offer a similar experience to the disappearing messages feature. The sender can now also determine whether the recipient can save the media file. This will further enhance privacy, as the recipient will neither be able to save the media nor export or forward the chat. This feature will be particularly useful for those sending personal and sensitive content.
Limitations with Meta AI
If users enable this privacy setting, they will be considered part of advanced chat privacy. One consequence is that Meta AI cannot be used in such chats. In other words, AI-based replies or features will be unavailable in chats where this setting is active. Currently, this feature is undergoing testing in the beta version, but it may soon be rolled out permanently.
This move by WhatsApp will not only give users better control over their media files but also make their chatting experience more secure and private.
