I can't delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp, only for myself. Why?

I can't delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp, only for myself. Why - briefly?

The ability to delete messages for everyone is time-limited on WhatsApp. Once the seven-minute window has passed after sending a message, you can only delete it for yourself, not for the recipients. This restriction ensures that important information isn't lost and maintains the integrity of conversations.

I can't delete a message for everyone in WhatsApp, only for myself. Why - in detail?

In WhatsApp, the ability to delete messages for everyone is subject to specific constraints and time limits. This feature allows users to retract messages that they might regret sending, but it comes with certain conditions to maintain the integrity of conversations and prevent misuse.

Firstly, there is a strict time limit for deleting messages. Users have only 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 16 seconds from the moment the message was sent to delete it for everyone in the conversation. After this window closes, the option to delete the message for everyone becomes unavailable. This time constraint ensures that recipients do not have enough time to read or react to the message before it is deleted, preserving the intended privacy and preventing potential misunderstandings or disputes.

Secondly, the success of deleting a message for everyone depends on whether the recipient has already seen the message. If the recipient has not seen the message within the allowed time frame, the deletion will be successful, and the message will disappear from their device as well. However, if the recipient has already read the message or if it has been delivered but not yet read, the delete for everyone feature will not work. In this case, users can only delete the message from their own devices, leaving a trace on the recipients' devices indicating that a message was deleted.

These limitations are in place to balance the need for privacy and control with the integrity of communications within WhatsApp. By enforcing these rules, WhatsApp aims to create a fair and reliable messaging environment where users can manage their messages responsibly while respecting the rights and experiences of other participants in the conversation.