New WhatsApp feature: single-play audio messages for Android users
Mar 25, 2023 2:17pm Read time: 2 minutes
It is not possible to forward single-play audio messages (Image credit: WhatsApp)
Popular messaging app WhatsApp is working on a new feature for Android users. Meta’s proprietary platform will soon make it possible to send audio messages that will only be playable once. This ensures more privacy. The facility is under development and will be made available to beta testers in the coming days. Let’s take a look at how it will work.
Why is this story important?
WhatsApp has over two billion users worldwide. In order to improve the user experience and stay ahead of its competitors like Telegram, the company is constantly working on new features. Privacy is a very big topic and we believe WhatsApp’s plan to introduce single-play audio messaging is a step in the right direction.
It will be impossible to record single-play audio messages
Once the single-play option is enabled, recipients of the audio messages cannot save, forward, or record them. This certainly increases the privacy of the conversation as third parties cannot access or eavesdrop on it later. While not a foolproof security measure, the confidentiality of sensitive information could be managed to a large extent.
WhatsApp currently supports sending photos and videos in single view. The Meta-owned app also plans to apply something similar to text messages. Sending single-play audio messages is currently not possible. However, WhatsApp will soon roll out the facility for the Android beta with version ID 2.23.7.8. Details on a broader rollout of the feature have yet to be announced.
WhatsApp is also working on sending video messages
In the coming days, WhatsApp users will also be able to send video messages to each other. This shouldn’t be confused with video media files because unlike them, you can’t save or forward them. However, taking screenshots is allowed. These messages are end-to-end encrypted and have a maximum duration of 60 seconds.
Users can keep an eye out for more accurate polls
Selected Android beta testers will also have the ability to limit a poll to a single selection. This feature eliminates confusion when taking surveys and makes the results more accurate.
