WhatsApp Users Frustrated as Meta Rolls Out More AI Features Despite Backlash

WhatsApp’s newly introduced Meta AI button has triggered backlash from users who call it “annoying,” “intrusive,” and even “rubbish.” But despite the growing discontent, Meta is pushing ahead with even more AI-powered features, raising concerns around user privacy and control.

New Features Under ‘Private Processing’

WhatsApp is set to launch a new AI toolkit called “Private Processing”, which will offer:

• AI-generated writing suggestions

• Message summaries

• And a ChatGPT-style chat experience with Meta AI

The update, expected in the coming weeks, will transform WhatsApp from a simple messaging app into a full-scale AI assistance hub.

Can Meta AI Read Your Messages?

Meta claims that chats with Meta AI are optional, and it does not read personal messages to deliver responses. But cybersecurity experts and users aren’t convinced.

“They can clearly read your messages. It’s a logic fail to say otherwise,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting concerns around group chat usage of Meta AI.

Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, warns that any time data leaves your phone — even for AI responses — there’s risk involved.

“It’s a compromise. WhatsApp has tried to reduce those risks, but it’s a balancing act between user demand for AI tools and the promise of end-to-end encryption,” he told the Telegraph.

The Button Everyone Hates

The Meta AI button, rolled out in March, appears as a purple-blue ring icon just above the “New Chat” button. Tapping it opens a personal chat with the Meta AI chatbot — capable of answering questions about news, weather, sports, and more.

But many users are accidentally tapping the button when trying to open regular chats — and they are furious.

• “How do I get rid of Meta AI in WhatsApp? It’s constantly in the way!”

• “I hate it. I hate it. I HATE IT.”

• “Remove that AI button before I throw my phone into the Manchester Ship Canal,” joked another.

Currently, there’s no option to remove or disable the AI button, though Meta says using it is “completely optional.”

Privacy Under Scrutiny

Meta is under fire not just for cluttering WhatsApp’s interface, but for its data practices. The company admitted to training its Meta AI chatbot using user-generated content — including photos, posts, and captions — often without explicit consent, especially in countries where local privacy laws don’t require notification.

While UK users were recently informed by email and notifications, users in many other regions are kept in the dark.

Meta AI has also been integrated into Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram, with a standalone Meta AI app now in development.