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LINE messages can finally be edited; users note 'edited' label but no history

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • LINE has launched a free trial of its new "Edit Message" feature through LINE Labs, allowing users to modify sent messages.
  • The feature enables edits for typos, incorrect information, or tone adjustments within 15 minutes for chats and up to 6 days for Keep notes.
  • Concerns have been raised about the feature potentially becoming a paid subscription and the inability to view previous versions of edited messages, especially for important work-related information.

LINE is offering users a chance to try out its long-awaited "Edit Message" feature, now available for free trial via LINE Labs. This new functionality allows users to correct mistakes in sent messages, such as typos, incorrect dates, or even adjust the tone, without needing to recall and resend the entire message.

LINE Premium 'Edit Message' feature is open for free trial in LINE Labs.

โ€” LINEAnnouncement of the new feature's availability.

The feature is particularly beneficial for users prone to errors. Previously, even a minor mistake required the cumbersome process of deleting and re-sending. Now, corrections can be made directly to the original message. LINE has set a 15-minute window for editing messages in one-on-one and group chats, while notes in Keep can be edited for up to six days after sending.

However, the rollout has sparked discussion among users. A primary concern is that the "Edit Message" feature might eventually become a paid service. While currently available for free trial, LINE has indicated it will transition to a LINE Premium subscription-only feature after the trial period ends. This has led to comparisons with other messaging apps like Telegram and Messenger, which offer similar editing capabilities for free.

LINE finally launched the 'Edit Message' function, so you don't have to recall the entire message to fix typos, making a long-awaited feature officially available.

โ€” Liberty TimesDescribing the user anticipation and functionality of the new feature.

Another point of contention is the inability to view the history of edits. While an "Edited" label will appear on modified messages, users cannot see the original content. This poses a potential issue in work-related group chats where crucial information like meeting times, deadlines, or instructions might be altered. For instance, if a deadline is changed from 3 p.m. to noon, only the latest version will be visible, with the "Edited" tag serving as the only indicator of a change. Users are advised to exercise caution and confirm important details when an edit is indicated.

However, as the usage rules are exposed, while some affirm that correcting typos has become more convenient, some netizens have noticed a detail: after the message is modified, an 'Edited' label will be left, but the content before modification cannot be viewed.

โ€” Liberty TimesHighlighting user concerns about the inability to view previous message versions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.