In the future, WhatsApp will allow photos to be sent that can only be viewed once by the recipient.
This could be useful, for example, if you want to share confidential information such as a WiFi password with someone, explained the chat service belonging to Facebook on Wednesday night.
The function was announced weeks ago after the controversy over the new WhatsApp terms of use.
The sender has to select the option again each time.
The photos for one-time viewing can then neither be viewed a second time nor forwarded or saved by the recipient.
However, he can take a screenshot - or simply take a picture of the screen with another device, as WhatsApp restricted in a blog entry.
If a user reports a file sent for one-time viewing - for example as inappropriate - to WhatsApp, the service can access it.
If a photo is not opened within 14 days, it will disappear from the chat.
WhatsApp has been embroiled in controversy over the past few months after privacy advocates warned that the new terms of service paved the way for more data sharing with Facebook.
WhatsApp rejects that.