WhatsApp recently got an update in its privacy section and the Internet cannot keep calm. Soon after releasing a new privacy feature that allows users to enhance their privacy by opting out of AI features, Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma went on an alert spree. In a post on X, Sharma went on to alert his followers on the suspicion that WhatsApp’s latest update allows the AI to read chat.
In a cautionary post on X, Sharma wrote, “If you are part of a WhatsApp group, from today onwards WhatsApp is allowing AI to read chats.” He also attached screenshots with clear instructions on how to disable the new feature and enable advanced chat privacy settings for enhanced security.
Soon after Sharma made the post live, WhatsApp was quick to dismiss the notion by releasing a media statement to Financial Express.
WhatsApp clarifies data privacy
“Your personal messages on WhatsApp are always protected by end-to-end encryption so that only you and the people you chat with can read or share them. Meta AI on WhatsApp is completely optional and, if you choose to message or invoke Meta AI in your chats, it can only read what you share with it,” shared a WhatsApp spokesperson.
WhatsApp clarified that the platform’s core end-to-end encryption remains intact, ensuring that nobody other than the sender and recipient can read personal messages. Instead, WhatsApp said that disabling the feature will allow Meta AI to read the text or image that you authorize it to. Once enabled, Meta AI won’t be functional on WhatsApp. Additionally, users will also lose the ability to export the chat.
New update brings group call scheduling
Beyond the controversial AI feature, the latest WhatsApp update introduces several new tools to improve the user experience. One of the most notableone is the ability to schedule group calls in advance, a feature that allows users to plan calls by tapping the “+” button in the Calls tab. Participants will receive reminders before the call begins, and the call creator will be notified when someone joins.
Other interactive features, such as the option to “raise a hand” and use reactions, have also been added to make group calls more engaging.
In other news, according to a report by AFP, Meta is set to introduce new ways to monetise the platform. These upcoming changes include paid subscriptions for channels, promoted channels in the directory, and even advertisements within the Status feature. These updates signal a major shift for WhatsApp, balancing user-focused enhancements with new revenue sources.
