WhatsApp is seen testing a number of features to enhance the overall user experience. The latest feature, which can soon make its entry on the popular messaging app, could prove helpful in managing WhatsApp group chats. The latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android has a feature, albeit hidden, which gives group admins control over message deletion.
WhatsApp Group Admins to Have More Power
As per WaBetaInfo, WhatsApp is testing a new feature for Android beta version 2.22.1.1. This feature will let group admins delete messages even if they are from other group members. This means that the admin of any WhatsApp group can delete any message if they are required to do so.
When a group admin will delete a message, WhatsApp will leave an indicator reading, “This was removed by an admin“, so that other members can know who deleted the message.
This feature will be in addition to a number of functions only group admins can perform. This includes the ability to add/ remove people on a group, select people who can send messages to the group, edit group info, edit group admin info, and more. However, there’s no word on when this feature will reach the general users on both Android and iOS.
For those who don’t know, WhatsApp is also rumored to introduce an extended timeline on deleted messages. With this, users will be able to delete sent messages for all even after 7 days and 8 minutes. The current limit is 1 hour, 8 minutes, 16 seconds. Earlier, WhatsApp was speculated to remove any restriction on message deletion but it seems like that’s no more the plan.
In addition to this, WhatsApp is also testing a new privacy feature, which will refrain unknown people from looking at users Last Seen or Status Updates. This will be done by changing the Last Seen and Status settings to My Contacts by default. This will also restrict third-party apps from keeping an eye on users’ activities.
What’s your take on the new expected WhatsApp features? Should admins have this much control over the group messages? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Sanmay Chakrabarti
