It is possible to remove photos and videos from an individual chat or a group on WhatsApp for both Android and iPhone devices. The procedure involves selecting the desired conversation in the 'Chats' tab of the app and then accessing the 'Clear chat' functionality, choosing the types of media you wish to delete.
This cleaning action serves to optimize the device's storage space by eliminating the accumulation of large files received daily. Thus, it ensures faster operating system performance without losing text messages.
For Android users, the process begins by opening WhatsApp and long-pressing the chat or group whose media needs to be removed from internal storage. Subsequently, you must tap the three-dot icon in the upper right corner and select the 'Clear chat' option. You only need to check the 'Media files only' option and specify which types of media will be deleted. Finally, by clicking 'Clear media', the photos and videos are deleted from the conversation.
On the iPhone, the user must start the process by opening WhatsApp and long-pressing the individual or group conversation to free up space. Next, they must access 'Clear chat' and select the 'Clear media files' option for the chat. After checking the media categories you wish to eliminate from internal storage, the user must tap 'Clear all media' to remove only photos and videos from the group or chat.
WhatsApp does not offer a native function that allows exclusively deleting photos and videos from all conversations or groups simultaneously. Therefore, the cleaning must be done individually, selecting each chat separately. However, there is an alternative for managing space: go to Settings, then 'Storage and data', navigate to 'Manage storage', and finally review and delete the heaviest items.
In case of accidental deletion of photos or videos on WhatsApp, it is possible to recover them if there is a recent cloud backup of the data. The most direct way is to restore the WhatsApp backup associated with Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iPhone. If no recent backup is available, it is recommended to check the phone gallery's trash bin or ask the contact to resend the material, while advising against using unofficial third-party solutions to maintain account security.
The center is considering the introduction of unified standards for messenger platforms operating in India amid disagreements arising from WhatsApp's proposal for a user name feature. According to a report by The Hindustan Times, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is studying the creation of a common regulatory framework that would apply to all services, instead of making platform-specific decisions.
This step followed the government's decision to oppose WhatsApp's plan to introduce user names, which would allow users to communicate without needing to share phone numbers. The government expressed concerns that this feature could facilitate scammers impersonating other users, promote digital arrests and phishing attacks, and complicate law enforcement investigations.
According to the report, the government is now insisting on a uniform approach to all messengers. An official source familiar with the matter stated that it is necessary to establish common standards for platforms so that decisions have legal justification. He emphasized: 'It cannot be that the government bans one platform from launching a feature while allowing others to continue offering the same thing. The rules must be the same for everyone.'
Before making a final decision, the government intends to hold consultations with all major messenger platforms. The Ministry of Information Technology sent notifications to WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal requesting detailed information on how their user name features address issues related to fraud and impersonation. Government sources reported that responses from WhatsApp and Telegram have already been received and are under review, but the content of these responses has not been made public, and neither company has officially commented on the situation.
Previously, the Center had asked WhatsApp to postpone the launch of the user name feature in India until consultations with the government were complete. WhatsApp subsequently assured the government that it would not launch this feature in the country before the discussions concluded. This issue attracted significant attention due to WhatsApp's dominant position in India, where it has about 500 million users, significantly exceeding the number of users of competitors such as Telegram and Signal.
Ramgopal Yadav, the General Secretary of the Socialist Party, used to send messages daily to approximately five thousand people via WhatsApp. However, this practice has been temporarily suspended.
He announced on social media that he would be unable to send his regular messages until July 31st because WhatsApp imposed a temporary restriction on sending messages from his account.
In his post, Ramgopal Yadav mentioned that he used to send good morning and good day wishes to about five thousand people every morning. He also specified that WhatsApp blocked his messages until July 31st, meaning he will be unable to reach his supporters with daily messages during this period.
The appearance of this message sparked active discussion on social networks. Some of his supporters expressed hope for the quick lifting of the ban, while other users showed interest in why WhatsApp imposed a temporary restriction due to such a large volume of sent messages.
It is worth noting that according to WhatsApp's policy, some accounts may be temporarily blocked for security reasons upon detection of unusual activity or mass simultaneous messaging. Nevertheless, WhatsApp has not yet issued an official statement regarding Ramgopal Yadav's case, so the exact reason for the restriction remains unclear.
