WhatsApp tests scheduled messages in Android beta, raising European compliance concerns

WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature that allows users to schedule messages for future delivery, according to a report by The Next Web. The functionality, which lets users set delivery times ranging from ten minutes to two weeks in advance, was spotted in an Android beta version by the monitoring site WaBetaInfo. This development marks a significant shift in how the messaging platform handles asynchronous communication.

The feature enables users to hold the send button, select a specific delivery time, and have the message transmit automatically at that moment. Engadget reported that the update is reaching some testers now, with wider access expected in the coming weeks. Mechanically, the scheduled messages maintain end-to-end encryption and can carry text, links, photos, and video, functioning even if the app is closed on the sender’s device.

Context and Background

WaBetaInfo identified specific limitations to the feature that other reports have not highlighted. Users can include only one photo or video in a scheduled message, and in group chats, the message reaches only those who were members at the time the schedule was set. Telegram has offered similar scheduling capabilities since 2019, meaning WhatsApp is catching up to existing market standards rather than introducing a novel concept.

Crucially, the interface provides no indication to recipients that a message was scheduled. WaBetaInfo noted that users receive no notification if the sender deletes the message before the scheduled time, and the timestamp reflects the delivery time rather than when the message was originally composed. This lack of transparency means the record shows the message arrived at the chosen time, obscuring the actual time of creation.

Who Is Affected

The implications of this feature are more pronounced in Europe than in the United States, where WhatsApp has approximately 500 million monthly users out of two billion globally. In many European countries, sending work-related messages outside of official hours is regulated to protect employee rights. France established the right to disconnect from after-hours email in 2017 for firms with more than fifty staff, a model subsequently adopted by Italy, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, and Slovakia.

Portugal’s labor code restricts contacting staff outside working hours except in emergencies, with fines attached for violations. This makes scheduling a potential compliance tool, allowing managers to draft messages late at night while ensuring they arrive during working hours. However, because the message was still written outside of hours, it may not fully satisfy legal requirements that focus on the act of communication rather than just delivery. There is currently no EU-wide rule governing this specific issue.

What should you do?

Organizations using WhatsApp for business communications should review their internal policies regarding after-hours contact, particularly if they operate in jurisdictions with strict right-to-disconnect laws. The ability to schedule messages does not eliminate the legal risk associated with drafting work communications outside of permitted hours, as the creation time may still be relevant for compliance audits.

What to do and how to stay safe: WhatsApp

• Review your organization's communication policies to determine if scheduling work messages constitutes a violation of right-to-disconnect laws in your jurisdiction.
• Monitor WhatsApp beta updates for official documentation on how scheduled messages are logged and whether creation timestamps are preserved for audit purposes.
• Train employees on the distinction between drafting and sending messages, emphasizing that creating work content outside of hours may still breach labor regulations.
• Consult with legal counsel to assess whether the lack of visible scheduling indicators in WhatsApp creates compliance risks for your specific industry and location.

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Can recipients see if a WhatsApp message was scheduled?

No, according to WaBetaInfo, recipients cannot see that a message was held for later delivery, and the timestamp reflects the delivery time.

Is there an EU-wide rule on after-hours work contact?

No, there is still no EU-wide rule, although individual countries like France, Portugal, and Italy have implemented their own regulations.

What are the limits of the scheduled message feature?

Users can schedule messages from ten minutes to two weeks ahead, but only one photo or video is allowed per message, and group messages reach only members present at the time of scheduling.