Tag: texts

  • Say Goodbye to Regret: Google Messages Eyes Feature for Retrieving Deleted Texts

    Say Goodbye to Regret: Google Messages Eyes Feature for Retrieving Deleted Texts

    The popular messaging platform Google Messages is reportedly working on a new feature that may allow users to retrieve deleted messages. Unlike the majority of email services where deleted messages are moved to a trash folder for temporary storage before permanent deletion, Google Messages currently does not have a similar feature.

    Retrieving Deleted Messages

    Most email services, including Gmail, shift deleted emails to a bin before they are permanently removed. These emails can be retrieved within a certain period of time, typically around 30 days for Gmail. Google Messages, however, does not currently have this feature. Once a message is deleted, it is gone forever. This could be set to change in the near future.

    Evidence of a possible “trash folder” has been found in the latest beta version of the Google Messages app. These “trashed conversations” would allow for a recovery period similar to that of email services, though the feature does not appear to be fully functional yet.

    Benefits of a Trash Folder

    The ability to restore deleted messages offers several benefits to users. Whether a message is deleted in anger and later regretted, or accidentally removed during a mass cleanup, a temporary storage bin provides the opportunity to recover these messages. While it is unclear how long messages might be stored in this potential trash folder, a 30-day timeframe would align with Gmail’s current setup.

    While Google Messages does currently offer an archive feature that allows users to hide conversations without deleting them, this is not an equivalent substitute for the ability to restore deleted messages.

    Continuous Improvements

    Google Messages has continually strived to optimize user experience. Recent updates have included streamlined access to photos and new expressive features. The app also introduced a feature warning users about inappropriate videos.

    The development of a trash folder for deleted messages signals Google Messages’ commitment to user-friendly features. Taking cues from email services, the messaging app is continually evolving to offer the best possible experience to its users.

    Questions & Answers

    What new feature is Google Messages potentially introducing?
    Google Messages is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to retrieve deleted messages.

    What is the current setup for deleted messages on Google Messages?
    Currently, once a message is deleted on Google Messages, it cannot be retrieved.

    What recent improvements has Google Messages made?
    Recent updates have streamlined access to photos, introduced new expressive features, and added a warning system for inappropriate videos.

  • WhatsApp private group links visible in Google search results

    WhatsApp private group links visible in Google search results

    Journalist Jordan Wildon stated on Twitter that WhatsApp groups may not be as secure as people thought they were and shared a screenshot, showing some links to groups appearing in Google search results. Apparently, when users create a link to send to someone to join their group, it gets indexed by Google and is accessible.

    A WhatsApp’s spokesperson reminded people that links that should be private shouldn’t be disclosed on publicly accessible websites, apparently explaining that the issue was due to unreasonable public posting of some links. When a link for a private group is posted on publicly available websites, it can be used by anyone to join the group and in consequence, see all the messages in it.

    However, reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong’s post on Twitter regarding the situation brings another perspective on it – she is stating this situation was a result of a misconfiguration which allowed around 470,000 Group Invite links to be indexed, and not because someone has not been careful enough when sharing private links. According to her, WhatsApp could change certain configurations in order to exclude the invite pages from appearing in search engines.

    Nevertheless, for the time being, WhatsApp maintains the position that this is intended behavior, not a bug.

  • GMS selected as an international A2P SMS partner

    GMS selected as an international A2P SMS partner

    Global Message Services (GMS) has been chosen as an international application-to-person (A2P) messaging hub and managed services partner with the UAE’s du.

    The partnership will see the global messaging provider, which since 2006 has expanded globally with a current reach of 900 mobile operators, secure du’s network and manage its inbound international A2P SMS traffic.

    “Connectivity and communication are core pillars of our operations and we are always in a constant drive to explore ways to improve the quality of service delivery for our end customers,” said Hany Aly, executive vice president of enterprise business at du.

    “We are happy to partner with GMS in effective monetisation of international A2P traffic. Ultimately, the benefits will be plentiful for both du and GMS with the monetisation of our SMS channels and we look forward to building our expertise and trusted solutions in this field as our partnership ensues.”

    du’s intention to improve service quality and unlock new revenue streams was perfectly in line with GMS’s ambition to extend its global monetisation footprint.

    Successful achievement is preceded by conducting a deep analysis of the legal, technical and commercial environments, identifying weak spots which need to be eliminated and implementing the necessary steps to secure the network. In line with this, du and GMS have established direct connectivity over Signalling System No.7 (SS7).

    SS7 connectivity offers an edge over other technologies in that it is of very high quality, speedy and most importantly, offers complete transparency, providing correct delivery reports to the traffic generator (enterprise) for all messages and thereby giving the full picture to both the enterprise and the MNO.

    “du stands out for its approach and attention to detail, and GMS has the exact same vision on doing business. We believe that GMS’ expertise will enable du to maximise its messaging business and achieve steady revenue growth,” added Iurii Makarenko, managing director of GMS (pictured).

    GMS multi-channel messaging platform, Hyber, allows enterprises to deliver messages across different channels worldwide: SMS, Push, OTT messengers, email, etc. GMS is Viber’s official partner.