WhatsApp may soon introduce a new privacy feature for its users that will make "disappearing messages" even smarter. Until now, users could set disappearing messages with fixed timers—such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days—but the company is now testing a new "After Reading" option.
The most notable aspect of this new feature is that the timer will not begin the moment a message is sent; instead, the countdown will only start once the recipient has actually read the message. This means that if you send sensitive or private information, it will only disappear after the receiver has viewed it. This will provide users with even greater control over the privacy of their chats.
According to reports, this feature was spotted in the WhatsApp Beta for Android version 2.26.15.11 update. WABetaInfo has reported that the company is actively working on this feature and may roll it out in the near future.

In addition to the "After Reading" option, the company is also preparing to offer a wider range of timing options. Currently, disappearing messages offer only a few fixed time intervals; however, the new feature may introduce shorter timers, such as 5 minutes, 1 hour, and 12 hours.

For instance, if you select the 5-minute option, the message will automatically disappear 5 minutes after the recipient reads it. If the recipient opens the message three hours later, the countdown will begin from that specific moment. This could make sharing sensitive information even more secure.

**Timing May Vary**
However, an interesting aspect of this feature is that the timing mechanism may function differently for the sender and the receiver. The message may be removed from the sender's phone based on the standard fixed timer, whereas on the recipient's device, it will remain visible for the specified duration *after* it has been read. This could provide enhanced privacy control for both parties involved.

This feature could prove particularly useful for individuals who share OTPs, private documents, banking details, or other confidential information via WhatsApp. It ensures that such messages do not linger in the chat history for extended periods. Currently, this feature is in the development stage and is not available to general users. It will first be released to beta testers, and once testing is complete, it may be rolled out to all users. If this feature is launched, WhatsApp's privacy settings will become significantly more robust than before.

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