If I clear the chat in WhatsApp, will my interlocutors lose information or not - briefly?
Clearing your own chat in WhatsApp only deletes messages and media from your device; it does not affect the messages on your interlocutor's device. Therefore, your contacts will not lose any information if you clear your chat.
If I clear the chat in WhatsApp, will my interlocutors lose information or not - in detail?
If you decide to clear your chat history in WhatsApp, it is essential to understand how this action affects both your own data and that of your conversation partners. WhatsApp operates on a principle where messages are stored locally on each user's device rather than being centrally managed on servers. This means that when you delete a message or clear the chat history from your end, it is removed only from your device and not from the devices of your interlocutors.
When you initiate the deletion process, WhatsApp provides two options: "Delete for Me" and "Delete for Everyone." The first option removes the messages solely from your device, leaving them intact on the devices of your conversation partners. Therefore, your interlocutors will not lose any information if you choose to delete messages using the "Delete for Me" feature.
However, it is important to note that if you select the "Delete for Everyone" option within a short window after sending a message (typically up to 7 minutes), the message will be permanently deleted from all participants' devices involved in the conversation. This action cannot be undone and will result in the loss of information for everyone in the chat, including yourself and your interlocutors.
In summary, if you clear your chat history using the "Delete for Me" option, your interlocutors will retain all their information. However, using the "Delete for Everyone" feature within the specified timeframe will lead to the permanent loss of messages for everyone in the conversation.