WhatsApp is reportedly blocking screenshots of "View Once" media, including photos and videos, according to social media users. According to some users, WhatsApp is set to prevent screenshots of conversations. Others have claimed that the messaging platform is working on "this new feature" for an upcoming update.
Many concerns were raised about the new feature's ability to protect users' privacy during the discussion about disabling the ability to take screenshots of "View Once" messages.
The Claim Originated From WABetainfo
The claim originated from a website known as WABetaInfo. It was founded on January 15, 2016, on Twitter to independently announce news about WhatsApp, its updates, and new features, according to the website.
We checked the website’s information on “www.whois.com,” which provides information about websites’ domain registrations, and found that the WABetaInfo website was registered in 2016 and recently updated in 2022.
According to the findings, the website was registered by TurnCommerce Inc, the parent company of a variety of Web properties, founded in 2003 to provide solutions for domain owners.
A second Google Advanced Search revealed that WABetaInfo, which bills itself as "the main source for news and real-time updates about WhatsApp," previously spoke with Will Cathcart, Meta's head of WhatsApp.
WABetaInfo reported in June 2021 that an exchange between two users had revealed "three features to come on WhatsApp," including a disappearing mode and a "View Once" media feature. However, WABetaInfo is not an official WhatsApp website.
The Feature Is Not Available Yet
Going back to WhatsApp’s official website, we reviewed the privacy section and found out that the company did not mention anything related to blocking screenshots for “View Once” media or conversations on its official website, as seen below.
Many websites reported on the new feature from WABetaInfo. And while Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, is working on improving the app, there is no official announcement yet that the messaging platform is launching screenshots and screen recording blocking for “View Once” images and videos to its users.
On August 9, 2022, Meta's WhatsApp head, Will Cathcart, tweeted that WhatsApp is working on three new features: controlling user presence online, leaving groups silently, and screenshot blocking for "View Once" messages.
However, the company has not yet made any announcements on its official website.
Misbar’s Sources
Will Cathcart
WABetaInfo
Who Is
Turn Commerce
WhatsApp
Will Cathcart
