Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is reminding users to think twice before taking screenshots of their private Messenger chats. His message comes as Meta continues rolling out updated privacy tools meant to protect conversations that disappear after they are viewed.

Disappearing Messages Replace Vanish Mode

In 2020, Facebook introduced Vanish Mode, a feature that allowed messages to erase themselves once the recipient left the chat. It was designed for quick, spontaneous exchanges and could be turned on with a simple swipe. Although popular in the U.S. and Europe, Facebook quietly retired the feature.

Today, Messenger uses Disappearing Messages, a new privacy option found under “Privacy and Support” in a chat’s settings. The tool is still being introduced to users worldwide.

Screenshot Alerts Are Now Built In

To highlight the update, Zuckerberg shared a lighthearted exchange with his wife, Priscilla Chan. When she took a screenshot of their disappearing message thread, a notification instantly appeared in the chat — exactly what users can expect going forward.

Messenger now warns: “If someone takes a screenshot or screen recording, a notification will appear in the chat.”

More Features Coming to Encrypted Chats

Zuckerberg also revealed that encrypted conversations are getting more user-friendly. GIFs, stickers, and reaction emojis are being added, bringing them closer to the full Messenger experience.

His reminder is simple: disappearing messages offer enhanced privacy — but screenshots won’t stay hidden anymore.