WhatsApp is in the news again thanks to its new AI feature. Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has introduced an AI chatbot designed to answer questions, give recommendations, and even create AI-generated images. The tool is represented by a colorful blue circle with pink and green accents, sitting at the bottom right of the Chats screen. WhatsApp calls it “optional,” yet users cannot remove it once it appears in the app.
What’s the Deal with the AI Tool?
When users interact with the blue circle, it opens up Meta AI, a chatbot powered by Llama 4, Meta’s advanced language model. The chatbot is designed to perform tasks like providing information, teaching users something new, or helping users come up with ideas. Meta claims this feature is here to enhance the user experience and likens it to other permanent options like ‘channels’ and ‘status’ within the app.
“We think giving people these options is a good thing and we’re always listening to feedback from our users,” WhatsApp told the BBC.
However, not everyone is happy describing WhatsApp’s use of the term “optional” is misleading. Dr. Kris Shrishak, an AI and privacy adviser, criticized Meta for “exploiting its existing market” and using people as “test subjects for AI.”( ca.news.yahoo.com)
What’s Happening in Other Meta Platforms?
The AI feature isn’t exclusive to WhatsApp. It’s also making waves in Facebook Messenger and Instagram, both owned by Meta. These platforms have added similar tools, showing Meta’s commitment to integrating AI across its services.
In addition, Meta has announced an update to teen accounts on Instagram, testing AI technology to identify users who might have lied about their age. This move showcases Meta’s deeper exploration of AI applications, but it also raises questions about data collection and privacy.(BBC)
Privacy concerns take center stage
For WhatsApp users concerned about privacy, Meta assures them that the AI chatbot “can only read messages people share with it.” Personal chats remain end-to-end encrypted, and the AI cannot access those conversations. Even so, privacy experts, including Dr. Shrishak, urge caution. He reminds users that when they interact with Meta AI, one of the ends of the communication is Meta itself—not your friend.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK has stated it will closely monitor how Meta uses personal data within WhatsApp. The ICO stressed the importance of organizations complying with data protection laws, especially when handling children’s information.(BBC)
Legal Questions Surrounding Meta’s AI Models
Meta’s approach to developing its AI tools hasn’t been without controversy. Investigations have suggested that Meta may have trained its Llama AI using pirated books and research papers. Author groups have raised concerns about this practice, and Meta is currently facing court cases filed by multiple authors over the use of their work in AI training. Meta has yet to comment publicly on these allegations.
What users are saying
Mixed feelings abound. Some users appreciate the potential of the AI chatbot, while others feel uneasy about its presence in their apps. Guardian columnist Polly Hudson expressed frustration at not being able to turn it off, while privacy advocates warn against sharing sensitive information with the feature.
Meta insists that users should only share information they’re comfortable being retained and used by the AI. For those who prefer a tech-free approach, the inability to disable the AI tool remains a sticking point.
The bigger picture
Meta’s AI feature is currently available in some selected countries, with plans for wider rollout. It’s clear that artificial intelligence is becoming a permanent fixture in apps we use daily, whether we like it or not. The question now is: will AI become an accepted norm in messaging platforms, or will user concerns push companies like Meta to rethink their strategies?
