Last year, WhatsApp removed the ability to send and view “View Once” photos and videos from its web and desktop clients, presumably for added privacy. Now, it seems that the feature is making a comeback for its desktop apps, as reported by trusted WhatsApp news portal WABetaInfo.
According to the report, the company has been slowly reintroducing the feature back to its desktop apps across multiple platforms over the past few weeks. This includes its web client as well as its apps for Windows and MacOS. From the screenshot posted, the feature is indeed making a return to WhatsApp’s desktop versions.
As most users are aware, View Once was introduced a couple of years ago as a tool to send ephemeral content, meaning that photos and videos sent through the feature would disappear after being viewed by the recipient. It’s interesting to note that last year, the platform also released an update that blocks smartphones from taking screenshots of content meant to be viewed only once.
The report makes no mention of the screenshot-blocking tool on the desktop apps, so it’s unclear whether it will be added along with the reintroduction of the privacy-oriented feature. There’s no official announcement regarding the rollout, but WABetaInfo claims that it should be available to more users over the coming weeks.
