WhatsApp is testing a new 'view once' feature for text messages, allowing recipients to read messages only one time before they disappear. The feature, already present in other apps, aims to enhance privacy by preventing copying, forwarding, and screenshots.
Downing Street confirmed Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, raising questions about transparency regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington. The government released documents, but Starmer's direct messages were limited, with many potentially lost due to the auto-delete function.
UK campaigners are urging Keir Starmer to implement strict safety standards for social media apps accessed by under-16s, rather than a blanket ban. They propose vetting platforms and features before children can use them, citing concerns over infinite scrolling and disappearing messages.
X launched its standalone messaging app XChat to the public on Friday, initially on iOS. The app enables messaging, file sharing, audio/video calls, and group chats with privacy features including message editing, disappearing messages, and end-to-end encryption. The launch marks a strategic shift from Elon Musk's 'everything app' vision toward offering separate dedicated apps through xAI.
X has launched XChat, a standalone messaging app for iOS, allowing users to message, share files, and make audio/video calls. The app features end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and screenshot blocking, with no ads or tracking. The launch represents a strategic shift from Elon Musk's original 'everything app' vision toward offering multiple dedicated apps through xAI. X is also shutting down its Communities feature, directing users to XChat.
