What Is Self-Destruct Messages In Telegram?

Telegram is a popular messaging app known for its security and privacy features. One of its unique features is self-destruct messages, which allow users to send messages that automatically disappear after a certain period of time. In this article, we are going to explore the steps to activate self-destruct messaging, explain its advantages and disadvantages, answer the frequently asked questions about this Telegram feature.

How To Activate Self-Destruct Messages In Telegram?

Self-destruct messages only work in secret chats on Telegram. Secret chats are end-to-end encrypted and offer enhanced privacy and security. Moreover, users can’t take a screenshot of secret chat due to security policy.

To write a self-destruct message in Telegram, follow these steps:

#1 Open Telegram on your device and select the contact or group you want to send a self-destruct message to.

#2 Tap on the recipient’s name at the top to open the profile.

#3 Click on the three dots icon at the top.

#4 From the menu, select “Start Secret Chat”.

#5 Then, you will be asked a question. Press “Start”.

#6 The secret chat page opens. Click the three dots icon at the top.

#7 From the menu that opens, select “Set self-destruct timer”.

#8 Select the time period you want and press “Done”.

#9 Type your desired message and attach the file if there are any and press the Send button.

Once you send the message, it will remain visible to the recipient for the duration of the self-destruct timer. After that time period, the message will automatically disappear from both the sender and recipient’s devices. This ensures that the message does not leave any trace behind, making it ideal for sending sensitive or confidential information.

Notice: If you’re sending a message that contains information that needs to be saved or accessed later, a self-destruct message might not be the best option.

What Is The Use Of Self-destruct Messages In Telegram?

Self-destruct messages offer several benefits for Telegram users.

• Additional Privacy and Security

With self-destruct messages, you can send confidential information without worrying about it remaining visible after a certain period. This is particularly useful when sending sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, or other personal information.

• Prevention of Accidental Sharing of Information

In some cases, you may send a message to the wrong person or accidentally share sensitive information with the wrong group. With self-destruct messages, you can limit the amount of time that the message is visible, reducing the risk of unintended sharing.

• Reducing Clutter of Chats

Users can avoid the hassle of manually deleting old messages by setting them to self-destruct after a certain period of time.

Does Self-destruct Messaging Guarantee The Security Of The Sent Messages?

Actually, self-destruct messages can create a false sense of security. although this feature can help protect sensitive and confidential information, they never offer 100% protection. It’s still possible for someone to take a photo or record the message before the message disappears forever. Therefore, it’s important to use self-destruct messages with caution and not rely on them as the only means of maintaining security for the sensitive information you send to someone in Telegram.

Moreover, beside the many ways self-destruct message feature protect you, it can still be used for malicious purposes. For example, someone could use self-destruct messages to harass or threaten someone, knowing that the message will disappear after a certain period, leaving no traces. This can make it difficult to hold the person accountable for their actions.

Conclusion

Telegram’s self-destruct messaging feature is a useful tool for users who prioritize privacy and security. It offers an additional layer of protection for sensitive information and helps reduce clutter in messaging apps. However, considering its limitations, it’s important to use self-destruct messages with caution and not rely on them as the sole means of protecting sensitive information. The tips provided in this article can help you informed choices when utilizing this feature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Can I change the self-destruct time after sending the message? No, once a message has been sent with a self-destruct timer, the timer cannot be changed. You would need to send a new message with a new self-destruct timer if you wish to adjust the time.
2. Can I see if someone has taken a photo of my self-destruct message?  No, Telegram does not notify users if someone has taken a photo of a self-destruct message. As mentioned earlier, users are not able to capture screenshots of secret chats in Telegram and the self-destruct feature is only available in secret chat. Yet, they can take photos of the screen using other devices.
3. Can I send a self-destruct message to a group? Yes, you can send a self-destruct message to a group. However, the message will be deleted for all members of the group once the timer expires.
4. What happens if I receive a self-destruct message but my device is offline? The timer will start as soon as your device is online again and the message will disappear once the timer expires. Therefore, you will have the chance to see and read the message.