Google has upgraded its Messages app by introducing a “delete for everyone” feature in an effort to make messaging more private, secure, and interactive amid rapid digital transformation.
This means that users will be able to correct messages sent to the wrong person or group. All one needs to do is touch and hold the message to be deleted, then tap “delete”. The message will be removed from both the sender’s device and that of the recipient.
To find the “delete” option in the pop-up menu and be able to delete a message or chat, Google says to scroll to reveal all options. “If you make a mistake or need to update a message, you can edit or delete the message,” it adds.
Stories are often told of the challenges caused by communication mix-ups. It is common, for instance, to send a message to the wrong number. Such mistakes can occur for a variety of reasons, including accidentally selecting the wrong recipient or issues with group chat settings.
In such cases, it is important to acknowledge the error, apologise if necessary, and inform the recipient that the message was sent unintentionally.
Brian Shikokoti, who works for a tax consulting firm at Mayfair Suites, was once on his way home from work when he sent a text message to the wrong chat. That misstep left him feeling a little embarrassed.
“I didn’t realise immediately that I had sent a text meant for our house help to the work Workspace group until one of my colleagues messaged me asking me to delete something I had shared,” Mr Shikokoti recalls. “That was a few hours later. I was lucky it wasn’t an embarrassing message. I just wanted her to go to the market and buy more groceries,” he explains.
“Mine was a business message that I sent to the wrong person. Fortunately, I managed to delete it in time. The ‘delete for everyone’ button helps, but if you mistakenly press ‘delete for me’, that’s the end of it—the person you sent it to will still have it. You can’t salvage the situation,” says Beatrice Okello, who has faced a similar predicament.
In the wake of digital transformation, standard digital features, while generally useful, are often insufficient for addressing complex issues such as accessibility, security, and the specific needs of certain users or industries.
These features may lack customisation, scalability, and the ability to incorporate specialised functionalities, making them inadequate for addressing a broad range of digital challenges.
Google’s upgrade to its Messages app amid rapid digital change is a clear sign that tech companies are re-evaluating their offerings. Only those embracing this shift now will be well positioned for a digitally driven future.
WhatsApp Messaging
Meta Platforms, the tech firm that acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $22 billion, also introduced the “delete for everyone” feature in December 2022. WhatsApp, which operates as a separate app but is owned by Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), allows users to delete sent messages from both their device and the recipient’s within a limited timeframe.
“This feature is useful for rectifying typos, messages sent to the wrong person or group, or removing inappropriate content,” WhatsApp said upon launching the feature.
Another high-tech firm that offers the ability to delete messages for everyone over time is Apple’s iMessage. It’s good to see another player—Google—entering the scene.
While chat notifications in Google Chat may include the original message, Google states that when you delete a message, it is permanently removed from your Google Account and cannot be recovered. After editing a message, you cannot revert to the previous version or the original message. In simple terms, message deletion cannot be undone.
“You can delete messages from apps, but you can’t edit them,” Google emphasises.
Additionally, if you’re using a personal account, you cannot delete messages when you are in a Workspace space created by a different organisation.
