Could WhatsApp’s new feature destroy your relationship?

That excuse you had – ‘Sorry, didn’t read your message’ – has just become untenable. At least, on WhatsApp.

Whatsapp’s latest feature for Android and iOS is the deadly two blue ticks. These notify the sender of a message being sent, delivered and read by the recipient. So if the message has been sent, the sender will see one grey tick against it, two grey ticks if it has been delivered and two blue ticks if it has been read.

This new feature is a very significant update. Especially in case of emergencies, a sender is sure the message has been received and read. Even if someone has hidden their ‘last seen’ status, the two blue ticks will notify the sender that the message has been read. This will help those in an emergency.

But users believe this is a double-edged sword.

Also Read: How to avoid WhatsApp's blue ticks

This feature builds up social pressure that obligates one to reply at the very moment. And if one doesn’t, the sender might feel anxious or rejected. This certainly is not an ideal feature for relationships.

Below are some of the reactions from the public on the new WhatsApp feature:

"BEST OF LUCK PEEPS" #whatsapp #blueTicks break-ups are coming ;D pic.twitter.com/OWLVj8ZOI3

— Arsam (@Arsamriaz) November 6, 2014

Somewhere between ‘last seen’ and ‘blue ticks’ whatsapp ruined many relationships !! #blueticks #whatsapp #noprivacy

— ovais raza (@raza_ovais) November 7, 2014

"Sorry, I didn't check #WhatsApp" Dear, I saw that #BlueTicks .. ;) :p The game has officially begun.

— Ayesha1 (@AyeshaSaeedb) November 7, 2014

There's going to be so much heartache and friend zoning with the #WhatsApp blue ticks.... #Gutted pic.twitter.com/J3j3vyD8ZH

— Ben Lovett (@benlovesit) November 7, 2014

We hope developers at WhatsApp soon understand the problem and provide its users with an option to switch on/off the feature, similar to the ‘last seen’ option that created a big issue a while back. That way, the ones enjoying the new feature could continue to use it and the one bothered by the fear of being spied on can turn it off at their convenience.

Beware, WhatsApp! Those miffed with this new feature can simply migrate to other chat apps like Line, Hike, Viber or Hangouts.

What do you think? Has WhatsApp suddenly become a threat to your relationship?

Also Read: WhatsApp users can now know if their message has been read