WhatsApp users angry over “optional” Meta AI that can’t be turned off

WhatsApp has introduced a permanently visible Meta AI button on its platform, with the company insisting that the feature is “entirely optional,” despite it being non-removable. 

The ever-present blue circle with pink and green splashes now sits in the bottom right of users’ chat screens – and AI critics aren’t happy. 

For now, there is a workaround, as WhatsApp has stated that users can block Meta AI on a chat-by-chat basis through a setting called “Advanced Chat Privacy.”

“When the setting is on, you can block others from exporting chats, auto-downloading media to their phone, and using messages for AI features,” WhatsApp explains in its documentation.

add an extra layer of protection to your chats advanced chat privacy stops media downloads, block chat exports, and keep your messages between you and who you’re talking to pic.twitter.com/8wmh2OCgQL

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) April 23, 2025

The setting, accessible by tapping on a chat name and then selecting “Advanced Chat Privacy,” effectively prevents Meta AI from accessing those conversations. 

Privacy concerns mount

Dr. Kris Shrishak, an adviser on AI and privacy, criticized Meta, telling the BBC: “No one should be forced to use AI. Its AI models are a privacy violation by design.”

When users first interact with Meta AI in WhatsApp, they’re told the chatbot “can only read messages people share with it” and that “Meta can’t read any other messages in your personal chats, as your personal messages remain end to end encrypted.”

However, Meta also cautions users: “Don’t share information, including sensitive topics, about others or yourself that you don’t want the AI to retain and use.” – hardly ideal or realistic for one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. 

As Dr. Shrishak warns starkly: “Every time you use this feature and communicate with Meta AI, you need to remember that one of the ends is Meta, not your friend.”

Meta is expanding its AI presence across products

Since the EU permitted the rollout of its AI products despite months of delays, Meta is aggressively integrating its AI assistant across its product line. 

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 it’s expanding Meta AI on Ray-Ban smart glasses to seven additional European countries. The glasses will also receive a live translation feature and the ability to ask Meta AI about objects in view for real-time responses.

For WhatsApp users frustrated by the permanent AI presence in their chats, though, there’s no ‘easy’ solution to permanently switch it off – other than switching to an alternative messaging platform.

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