The Case of the Disappearing Messages
55 THINGS PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: #8
Editor’s Notes:
Many predators use apps where the messages and images disappear. These messages are erased even on the server so a warrant would not be able to capture the information. In this issue of the Traffic Report, we do a deep dive into the world of secret messaging!
The Hidden Danger of Secret Messaging
As we move into the zone of secrets and deceit, we come across communication platforms that create mystery and horror. These platforms are the opposite of the secret inks of our forefathers, rather than being hidden and magically appearing, these messages disappear never to be seen again. The danger is the communication cannot be traced after a brief period and the platforms must only keep them stored for an extremely brief period.
Why is this a danger, you might ask? This type of messaging leaves no trail. Deceitful photos and messages can be sent to your children and once received they disappear before you have a chance to monitor them.
One of the leading providers – WhatsApp enables you to send secret disappearing messages. You can keep your messages secret, secure, private, and out of the wrong hands. In this case, actually into the wrong hands of the predator.
Self-Disappearing Messages that will protect your privacy, while you will still be able to maintain a normal conversation.
Once the message has been opened there are only 10 seconds left to read the message, after it will disappear forever.
The recipient will receive a notification when you send him a secret disappearing message or a photo where only he will be able to read it.
Secure and Easy to use don’t leave any trace, send as many Secret disappearing messages as you want, and they will all be deleted forever.
Here are a few messaging platforms that have expiring or disappearing messaging that you must look out for on the phones of your children.
TikTok
TikTok messages disappear. By default, all messages sent in the app are set to expire after 24 hours.
Telegram Messenger
The free communications app Telegram Messenger (for Android, iOS, and the web) emphasizes security and simplicity. As part of that focus, it lets users send and receive messages with expiration dates.
Confide
Confide (for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS) offers not-so-rare chat app features like end-to-end encryption and the ability to share different types of media (including text, photos, videos, documents, and voice messages). Unlike the other platforms on this list, developers built this program specifically for sending and receiving self-destructing messages.
Facebook Messenger
This popular chat app (for Android and iOS) also has a self-destructing messages feature, called “vanish mode.”
Snapchat
Snapchat (for Android and iOS) originally made its name with disappearing photos and videos, bringing a new ephemerality to social media. These days, the app extends that practice to instant messages as well. If you send text, photos, or videos directly to a contact, those notes will self-destruct by default after they open them.
Never one to miss out on something other apps did first, Instagram (for Android, iOS and the web) added a disappearing message feature for mobile devices back in 2020. And because Meta owns both Messenger and Instagram, this feature shares the same name across both platforms: vanish mode.
To enable it, all you have to do is swipe up inside a conversation—anything that you or the person you’re chatting with post will disappear as soon as you close the chat. When you open it back up, you won’t see anything sent after you activated vanish mode. Swipe up again to turn it off.
WhatsApp also has disappearing messages in its mobile apps on Android and iOS. You can use this feature inside any conversation on the platform,
Signal
Signal is a free and open-source messaging app that offers end-to-end encryption and disappearing messages. You can set a timer for how long your messages will be visible before they disappear.
Message from Dottie
It's up to you to keep your child safe from the dangers of the world that they haven't lived long enough to understand. Your kids don't have experience with bad guys who may have groomed a thousand teens and young adults to get caught in really bad situations.