WhatsApp has issued an urgent warning to users to update their app following the discovery of a security flaw in its popular 'View Once' feature. The feature, launched in 2021, allows users to send photos and videos that disappear after being viewed, but a glitch meant images could still be accessed through the app's storage settings.
Security researcher Ramsath identified the loophole, which allowed him to view 'View Once' images by navigating to the app's 'Storage and Data' settings and selecting 'Manage Storage'. He reported that the issue could create 'trust issues' for users who rely on the feature for privacy.
The flaw only affects iPhone users, with Android devices remaining unaffected. WhatsApp's parent company Meta was alerted to the issue and has released an update, version 25.2.3, which fixes the problem. However, Meta has not confirmed whether previously sent images will remain accessible.
In addition to the security fix, the update introduces improvements to group calls, allowing users to select participants before starting a call and to add people to an ongoing call. Users are advised to update their app immediately to protect their privacy.
