LINE introduces “Hidden Chats” features on its mobile apps for Android & iOS, these features are similar to Snapchat. The Hidden Chat feature allow users to set time limits to their messages and it will be disappeared after limited time.
According to a press release,
“Hidden Chats can be used in 1-to-1 chats between supported devices. A separate room exclusive to Hidden Chats is created and a filter attached to the messages makes it impossible to view the contents directly. Text, stickers, images, location info and contact info can be sent, and viewing limits of 2 seconds, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 1 hour, 1 day or 1 week can be attached to the messages.”
It looks the LINE has borrowed this feature from Snapchat, it also lets users to send ephemeral content, which is automatically deleted. The photos and messages won’t display automatically and users have to click on it before it loads, after which it will disappear depending on the timer the sender has set for it.
The receiver of the messages can tap the protected content to view it, at the same time starting the countdown timer for the message. After the predetermined amount of time passes, the contents of the message will be automatically deleted, making them perfect for sending information to be shared temporarily with friends, family or loved ones.
LINE also mentioned that this feature is not supported on Chinese and Japanese accounts and on the BlackBerry, Nokia, Windows Phone and PC versions of LINE.
