Facebook testing Snapchat-style self-destructing chat in Messenger

Facebook makes third attempt to take on rival Snapchat with an in-house alternative to 'ephemeral' messages

Facebook is testing Snapchat-style disappearing messages within its Messenger app in France, offering users the ability to set a message to self-destruct an hour after it is sent.

Simply tapping an hourglass icon on the Messenger app turns on the ability, which remains active until it's turned off. It mirrors features in other messaging apps: Snapchat, for instance, removes messages once read, while Google's chat platform offers the ability to prevent conversations from being saved in history.