WhatsApp is testing a new feature that allows messages to self-destruct after being read, enhancing user privacy. This feature was identified by WABetaInfo in the latest beta version for iOS, version 26.19.10.72. Users can find the feature under the 'Privacy - Default message timer' section in their settings. They have the option to set a timer for messages to disappear after a fixed period, such as 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days, or choose the 'After reading' option. When this option is selected, unread messages will vanish after 24 hours, whereas read messages will activate a secondary timer. This secondary timer can be set to 5 minutes, 1 hour, or 12 hours for the messages to self-destruct. While this feature aims to ensure that messages are read only once by the intended recipient, WhatsApp has included a disclaimer noting that users may still find ways to save messages. The timeline for when this feature will be widely available remains unclear, although WhatsApp has previously tested it on Android devices.