Share this article

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, is introducing a new feature that allows users to send disappearing voice messages. Similar to the “View Once” option for photos and videos introduced in 2021, these voice messages can be listened to only once before disappearing.

Although the introduction of end-to-end encryption in Messenger made headlines today, Meta is also giving its WhatsApp users access to a useful feature: voice messages that vanish. The upcoming feature will let users send voice messages that are limited to one listen before they disappear, much like the 2021-introduced “View Once” option for photos and videos.

According to the company, the feature might increase security in conversations where you don’t want the information saved digitally, such as when organizing a surprise party or disclosing private information to a friend or relative, like your credit card number intended for one-time use.

These messages will prominently display a “one-time” icon to let the recipient know that they are only meant to be listened to once before disappearing. In this manner, they won’t try to listen to it in an environment where their hearing might be compromised, and they’ll be ready to take notes if the message contains any information they need to remember. WhatsApp claims that by default, both the messages and the “View Once” images and videos are encrypted from beginning to end.

In a 2019 speech, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg heralded a series of privacy-focused changes to the company’s social media platforms, including the update to WhatsApp. The executive bragged about safety, private conversations, interoperability, encryption, and other things in it. However, Meta recently quietly backtracked on one of these initiatives, announcing that it would stop cross-platform messaging on Facebook and Instagram. This is despite the EU’s regulations, which require major messaging apps to be interoperable through the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Nevertheless, the business has delivered on its encryption pledges; in 2021, encryption was introduced to WhatsApp chat backups, and it is now releasing end-to-end encryption in Messenger.

Over the next few days, WhatsApp’s new View Once feature for voice messages will be available everywhere, the company reports. It follows that while you might not see the option in your app right away, you should eventually.