Facebook looks set to tap into the world of Snapchat as it begins testing a new snapchat-esque self-destructing messaging feature for users in France – and it isn’t the first time they have tried to take them on…
A new Facebook feature, allowing users to send ephemeral messages that soon disappear an hour after they are sent, is being tested in France. Like Snapchat, these messages will not be automatically saved or stored on the user’s device. However, unlike Snapchat, it has not been developed as a stand-alone feature – rather it has been designed to fit into the Messenger app.
The feature is operated by selecting an hourglass icon within the Messenger app, remaining active until it has been disabled. Whilst it is on, messages are removed once read and conversations cannot be saved or archived for viewing at a later date.
Facebook has reported here…
“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… 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…”
Facebook’s repeated attempts at overpowering Snapchat
The new feature is not the first time that the social media giant has attempted to thwart the hip and trendy Snapchat. For example, having failed to beat their rivals in 2012 with “Poke”, in 2014 Facebook developed and launched the app “Slingshot” in an attempt to out-feature Snapchat. It is not a surprise to see, yet again, Facebook attempting to muscle in on Snapchat’s turf as they had originally been acquisition targets for them.
Will the feature be a success? No doubt it will be used by those on messenger but Facebook certainly have their work cut out if they want to convert Snapchat users.
