New WhatsApp update will make group chat admins even more powerful

Look out, WhatsApp users – the popular messaging service is adding yet another tool to the arsenal of overbearing group chat admins.

As spotted by WABetaInfo (opens in new tab), WhatsApp is working on a new update that will grant admins the ability to delete any and all messages sent in groups chats they oversee. At present, messages can only be deleted by the users who originally sent them, but this new feature – set to roll out in beta soon – would share the privilege with admins. 

All group participants will, however, be notified if and when an admin deletes a group message, and admins will be warned of that fact before confirming the option to do so. 

As part of a more imminent app update, WhatsApp users will also be granted more time to delete embarrassing or mistimed group chat messages (let’s be honest: we’ve all been there…).