We understand how this supposed WhatsApp update could be a cause for panic, but keep calm and read on.
You have probably seen the below post being shared by your Facebook contacts or in WhatsApp chats claiming that the cross-platform messaging service will soon alert users when someone screenshots a chat.
The article even quotes WhatsApp CEO and co-founder Jan Koum as “saying”, “The functioning is simple, just like the blue tick: You will have the option activated by default. If it’s checked, you’ll be notified if someone screenshots your conversation, and others will be notified if you screenshot theirs. If it’s unchecked, no one gets notified.”
Jan Koum apparently also added that the decision to add the option is because it has been highly requested by users.
While it’s certainly worrying (hey, we all screenshot stuff once in a while especially when we want to share an epic typo or autocorrect, or a funny conversation), WhatsApp users need not hyperventilate just yet as the supposed app update is not happening. For starters, 8Shit prides itself in being a satire website. In their “About” page, it states:
“8Shit is a satire and humour website. It contains cutting edge satire on a diverse range of topics. The website publishes fake news, shocking rumours and reports with incisive sarcasm, and humour. We also post crazy real news which often sounds too good to be true.”
Furthermore, the WhatsApp screenshot notification feature has been an ongoing discussion dating as far back as last year. On top of that, WhatsApp has made no mention whatsoever of the said update on their blog, which is where they would usually first make major announcements about their app.
Let’s not forget that there has been lack of reporting from top tech sites regarding this issue and that could probably only be due to the fact that it’s fake news.
So chill, peeps. Throw your paranoia out the window. As far as we know, the screenshot notification feature is currently only present in Snapchat and Instagram (for disappearing messages in Instagram Direct).
