WhatsApp introduced a permanently visible meta-AI button on its platform, and the company insists that the feature is “fully optional”, although it is not removable.
Now, blue circles with pink and green splashes exist now sit in the lower right corner of the user’s chat screen – AI critics are not happy.
Currently, there is a workaround because WhatsApp says that users can block meta AI on a chat basis with a setting called “advanced chat privacy.”
WhatsApp explains in its documentation: “When the settings are on, you can prevent others from exporting chats, downloading media automatically and automatically use media, and use messages for AI features.”
Add extra layer of protection to your chat đź”’Advanced chat privacy blocks media downloads, blocks chat exits, and keeps your message between you and who you are talking to pic.twitter.com/8wmh2ocgql
– whatsapp (@whatsapp) April 23, 2025
This setting can be accessed by tapping the chat name and selecting “Advanced Chat Privacy”, effectively preventing meta-AI from accessing these conversations.
On privacy issues
AI and privacy consultant Dr. Kris Shrishak criticized Meta, Tell the BBC: “No one should be forced to use AI. Its AI model is a privacy-breaching design.”
When users first interact with Meta AI in WhatsApp, they were told that the chatbot “can only read messages that people share with” and that “Meta cannot read any other messages in your personal chat because your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted.”
However, Meta also warns users: “Don’t share information about other people or yourself that you don’t want AI to retain and use, including sensitive topics.” – Almost ideal or realistic for one of the most popular messaging applications in the world.
As Dr. Shrishak strictly warns: “Every time you use this feature and communicate with Meta AI, you need to remember that one of the purposes is Meta, not your friends.”
Yuan is expanding its cross-product AI presence
As the EU allows the launch of its AI products despite months of delays, Meta actively integrates its AI assistants on its product line.
Now, users in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland will now be able to interact with Meta AI using voice prompts.
Just yesterday, the company announced the expansion of the Meta AI for Ray-Ban smart glasses to seven other European countries. These glasses will also get real-time translation capabilities and be able to ask Meta AI for objects about real-time responses.
For WhatsApp users, there is frustration with permanent AI in their chats, and there is no “easy” solution to permanently turn it off besides switching to an alternative messaging platform.
