Viber Introduces Snapchat-Inspired Secret Chat with Timed Messages
Key Takeaways
- Viber's latest update adds secret chat and timed message features inspired by Snapchat
- Users can set a timer for messages and photos to self-destruct after being viewed
- The update includes screenshot alerts and end-to-end encryption for enhanced privacy
Viber Rolls Out Snapchat-Style Secret Chat and Timed Messages
Viber has joined the growing list of messaging apps adopting features popularized by Snapchat. The latest update introduces a new 'secret chat' function, allowing users to set timers for entire conversations, including texts and images, to automatically delete after a chosen time. This follows similar moves by other platforms, such as Facebook's apps, which have faced criticism for cloning Snapchat's innovations.
The secret chat feature works by enabling users to start a private conversation where each message can be assigned a self-destruct timer. Once the timer expires, the content disappears from both the sender's and recipient's history. Additionally, Viber alerts users if someone takes a screenshot of their chat, providing another layer of security. The update also builds on existing privacy tools, such as end-to-end encryption and the ability to hide messages.
According to Viber, the idea is to help users control what remains in their chat history. "Make your conversations more meaningful by choosing what stays and what goes. Secret messages give you the ability to decide when the photos and videos you send will disappear from your conversation," the company stated. The feature is designed for content meant to be seen only once and then removed, ensuring it cannot be shared afterward.
The new functions are now available in the latest version of Viber, offering users more options for managing their online interactions.
