Reports state that WhatsApp now allows AI to read user chats, has sparked widespread concern among its 2.7 billion users.
Viral warnings urged people to enable settings to block the feature, raising fears that Meta’s artificial intelligence assistant could compromise privacy.
The controversy stems from the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp. The tool enables users to ask questions, generate text or images, and receive assistance without leaving the app.
While designed to enhance user experience, critics argue that AI access could undermine WhatsApp’s long-standing end-to-end encryption, which ensures only the sender and recipient can view messages.
In response, WhatsApp clarified that personal messages remain fully encrypted.
The company stressed that Meta AI can only access messages that users explicitly share with it, and participation is entirely optional.
Independent analysts, including WABetaInfo, also dismissed the viral warnings as misleading.
They explained that AI only processes chats where it is directly invoked, and users can review activity through the Message Info screen.
For added control, users may enable Advanced Chat Privacy, though doing so limits some AI features.
Despite reassurances, the perception of “AI reading chats” could erode trust.
With regulators in the EU, India, and the U.S. tightening data protection rules, WhatsApp may face scrutiny, while privacy-conscious users could migrate towards alternatives like Signal or Telegram.
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