WhatsApp will no longer let you screenshot ‘View Once’ images

I had no idea people could do this, but you can actually screenshot images on WhatsApp that are meant to be ‘View Once’ pictures or videos. And now WhatsApp wants to block that ability, and has already done so in a beta update.

According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp is introducing screenshot blocking for ‘View Once’ images and videos to some beta testers. Your phone screens will show the above images if you try to screenshot or screen record your phone “for added privacy”.

WhatsApp’s “View Once” feature was introduced last year, and it is a similar feature to what you can do on Snapchat or Instagram. However, the platform said that you’re able to “take a screenshot or screen recording of the media before it disappears”. You also won’t be notified if someone takes a screenshot or screen recording.

I tested out screenshotting an image, and it does in fact still work. My colleague also wasn’t notified that I screenshotted it either. I tested the same thing on Instagram—while I was notified that my colleague had seen the ‘View Once’ post, I was not informed that she screenshotted it. However, Snapchat apparently informs users that their ‘View Once’ posts have been screenshotted.

Personally, I’d at least like a notification saying if someone has screenshotted my posts. But banning screenshots or screen recordings would make the experience on WhatsApp a lot more private.

Besides the new feature, WhatsApp’s new beta update also includes the ability to create interactive polls. There’s no word yet of when WhatsApp’s plans to release this update to the public.

[ SOURCE, IMAGE SOURCE ]