Whatsapp is to get a new update which will be similar to Snapchat as content will disappear after a matter of seconds.
This will allow users to have photos or videos vanish after they are seen by the person the content is sent to.
After the recipient opens the image for the first time, "view once" deletes it, without saving it to a phone.
WhatsApp said the feature is aimed at "giving users even more control over their privacy".
It is also a way of saving storage space as media content on Whatsapp automatically saves to the camera roll of a device.
The feature also comes with limitations:
The photos will not be saved in a phone's gallery app
The media cannot be forwarded, saved, shared, or starred
It will expire if not opened within two weeks
According to the BBC, the new feature could be used for throwaway personal photos - when trying on clothes in a shop and asking someone how they looked, for example, or sending someone a password.
A spokesperson said: "Not everything we share needs to become a permanent digital record.
"On many phones, simply taking a photo means it will take up space in your camera roll forever."
And it plans to start rolling out the feature to "everyone starting this week".
Users will know a message is "view once" because the preview will be hidden and a large "1" icon displayed instead.
It will be similar to vanishing messages on Snapchat, however, but it will still be possible for a user to take a screenshot or screen recording of the message when it is first opened - or to film one screen with another camera.
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