Table 1:

Deleting messages in mobile instant messaging applications

MessengerMonthly active usersLocal deletionLocal residualsGlobal deletionGlobal residualsSeparate functionsEdit messageQuote messageDel. received msg.Ephemeral messagesDelete conversation
Facebook1300a [14]
GroupMe11b [41]
Hangouts15b [41]
iMessage
Instagram Direct375a [42]
KakaoTalk50a [43]
Kik8b [41]
Line203a [14]
Signal
Skype300a [14]
Snapchat291a [14]
Telegram200a [14]
Threema
Viber260a [14]
WeChat1058a [14]
WhatsApp1500a [14]
Wire
MessengerMonthly active usersLocal deletionLocal residualsGlobal deletionGlobal residualsSeparate functionsEdit messageQuote messageDel. received msg.Ephemeral messagesDelete conversation
Facebook1300a [14]
GroupMe11b [41]
Hangouts15b [41]
iMessage
Instagram Direct375a [42]
KakaoTalk50a [43]
Kik8b [41]
Line203a [14]
Signal
Skype300a [14]
Snapchat291a [14]
Telegram200a [14]
Threema
Viber260a [14]
WeChat1058a [14]
WhatsApp1500a [14]
Wire

Notes: The numbers of monthly active users are listed in millions. The “Residuals” properties denote whether a messenger leaves a hint indicating that a message has been deleted (both for local and global deletion). The “Separate Functions” property only applies if the messenger supports both types of deletion. When an application supports messages that automatically disappear, this is denoted “Ephemeral Messages.” All properties apply to the latest available application versions as of January 2019.

Filled circle: provides functionality; partially filled circle: provides functionality; open circle: does not provide functionality; dash: functionality does not apply.

a

Worldwide

b

US-only.

Table 1:

Deleting messages in mobile instant messaging applications

MessengerMonthly active usersLocal deletionLocal residualsGlobal deletionGlobal residualsSeparate functionsEdit messageQuote messageDel. received msg.Ephemeral messagesDelete conversation
Facebook1300a [14]
GroupMe11b [41]
Hangouts15b [41]
iMessage
Instagram Direct375a [42]
KakaoTalk50a [43]
Kik8b [41]
Line203a [14]
Signal
Skype300a [14]
Snapchat291a [14]
Telegram200a [14]
Threema
Viber260a [14]
WeChat1058a [14]
WhatsApp1500a [14]
Wire
MessengerMonthly active usersLocal deletionLocal residualsGlobal deletionGlobal residualsSeparate functionsEdit messageQuote messageDel. received msg.Ephemeral messagesDelete conversation
Facebook1300a [14]
GroupMe11b [41]
Hangouts15b [41]
iMessage
Instagram Direct375a [42]
KakaoTalk50a [43]
Kik8b [41]
Line203a [14]
Signal
Skype300a [14]
Snapchat291a [14]
Telegram200a [14]
Threema
Viber260a [14]
WeChat1058a [14]
WhatsApp1500a [14]
Wire

Notes: The numbers of monthly active users are listed in millions. The “Residuals” properties denote whether a messenger leaves a hint indicating that a message has been deleted (both for local and global deletion). The “Separate Functions” property only applies if the messenger supports both types of deletion. When an application supports messages that automatically disappear, this is denoted “Ephemeral Messages.” All properties apply to the latest available application versions as of January 2019.

Filled circle: provides functionality; partially filled circle: provides functionality; open circle: does not provide functionality; dash: functionality does not apply.

a

Worldwide

b

US-only.

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