Facebook Messenger Is Testing ‘Disappearing Messages’ Feature

Facebook Messenger is reportedly testing Snapchat-like disappearing messages feature in France. The disappearing messages feature ensures messages sent by users get deleted automatically after one hour of sending them.

"We're excited to announce the latest in an engaging line of optional product features geared towards making Messenger the best way to communicate with the people that matter most," a Facebook spokeswoman noted in a statement to Buzzfeed.

 "Starting today, we're conducting a small test in France of a feature that allows people to send messages that disappear an hour after they're sent. Disappearing messages gives people another fun option to choose from when they communicate on Messenger. We look forward to hearing people's feedback as they give it a try."

The new feature can be turned on for any conversation in Facebook Messenger by simply tapping on the hourglass icon in the top right. Another tap on the hourglass will turn the feature off. It is to be noted that the feature will only apply to one conversation and not all threads in Messenger, reported DailyMail.

Unlike rival Snapchat, where messages disappear shortly after being viewed, the messages in the Facebook Messenger app test will stick around an hour before they disappear.

At the moment, the 'disappearing messages' feature has been rolled out only for iOS and Android users in France. However, the social networking giant claims it may be rolled out to more countries over time, but no exact schedule for the same has been announced, reported TheVerge.

Disappearing conversation feature would put Facebook in line with smartphone-messaging rival Snapchat. Facebook had earlier attempted to buy Snapchat for a rumored $3 billion dollars in 2013, but Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel refused the offer.

Recently, the social networking giant also announced a new "Photo Magic" facial recognition feature for its Messenger app.