How long are deleted WhatsApp messages stored - briefly?
Deleted WhatsApp messages are not permanently removed from the app's servers immediately after deletion. They remain on the servers for up to 30 days before being completely erased.
How long are deleted WhatsApp messages stored - in detail?
The duration for which deleted WhatsApp messages are stored is a complex issue that depends on several factors, including the type of deletion and the actions taken by both parties involved in the communication.
When a user deletes a message from their own device, WhatsApp removes it from their local storage but does not necessarily delete it from the servers or the recipient's device. This means that the message may still be accessible to the recipient until they choose to delete it themselves. However, if the sender deletes a message within the 1-hour, 7-minute, and 30-second timeframe after sending it (using the "Delete for Everyone" feature), WhatsApp will attempt to remove the message from both the sender's and recipient's devices, as well as from its servers.
Despite this effort, traces of deleted messages can sometimes remain in certain situations:
- Backup Storage: If a user has enabled backups on their device or cloud storage (such as Google Drive for Android users or iCloud for iPhone users), deleted messages may still be present in these backups until the backup is manually updated or deleted.
- Notification Logs: Deleted messages might still appear in notification logs on some devices, depending on the operating system and device settings.
- Forensic Recovery: In rare cases, using advanced forensic techniques, it may be possible to recover deleted WhatsApp messages from a device's storage, although this is typically beyond the scope of ordinary users and requires specialized tools and expertise.
- Server Logs: While WhatsApp states that it deletes messages from its servers when the "Delete for Everyone" feature is used, there might be temporary logs or records maintained by the company for internal purposes, such as troubleshooting or compliance with legal requirements. However, these logs are not accessible to ordinary users and are subject to strict privacy policies.
In summary, while WhatsApp makes efforts to delete messages from its servers and devices when the "Delete for Everyone" feature is used within the specified timeframe, complete removal of all traces may not always be guaranteed due to factors like backups, notification logs, forensic recovery methods, and server logs. Users should be aware that achieving absolute deletion can be challenging and may require additional steps beyond simply using the delete function.