WhatsApp tests new function for photo messages: trick for recipients is eliminated

Created: 04/10/2022 16:07

By: Miriam Haberhauer

A new WhatsApp update could bring long-awaited features.

Beta testers report screenshot blockers, but the feature is not yet available to everyone.

Munich – WhatsApp users have been able to send pictures and videos for a one-time view for some time.

The recipient can look at them as long as they want, but cannot open them again after they have been closed.

So far, however, it was possible to create screenshots or screen videos from the media files.

Unlike Snapchat, for example, the sender of the message is not informed.

WhatsApp update: screenshot blocking for beta testers

In version 2.22.22.3 for Android, the secret holding of media files is said to be over.

On the Wabetainfo website, beta testers report a new feature that prevents screenshots from being taken.

The sender of the photo can select the option before sending the photo.

The testers reported that they only got a black image when attempting to take a screenshot of a one-time photo.

Even with the help of third-party extensions, screen capture was not possible.

Attempting to capture a screen video and thus save the photo or video is no longer possible in the beta version.

Also possible: record the screen with a trick

Even if the screenshot attempt is prevented in the beta version, the sender of the message is still not informed.

However, the company said it is still working to improve the detection of such attempts.

WhatsApp, on the other hand, is powerless against another way of saving one-time messages: recipients could take a photo or video of the screen with another cell phone.

Users should therefore think carefully about which media files they send to whom.

However, it is not certain whether screenshot blocking will really come to all users.

It is currently only available to beta testers.

It is quite possible that WhatsApp, which will soon stop supporting various iPhones, will dispense with the feature in its next general update.

It is not known when the screenshot lock will come for everyone.

Theoretically, it is even conceivable that WhatsApp will not release the new function at all.

It is currently being tested by a limited group of beta testers.

The police warn of a WhatsApp “grandchild trick” – a 66-year-old recently fell for it and transferred several thousand euros to strangers.