A new AI-powered feature in WhatsApp has stirred up controversy among users, as a blue circle icon now appears in the app’s chat screen — and it’s here to stay, whether you use it or not.
The feature, which summons Meta AI, a chatbot built on a Large Language Model similar to ChatGPT, now sits prominently above the chat button on both iPhone and Android devices.
While Meta insists the chatbot is “entirely optional,” the icon itself can’t be disabled or hidden through the app’s settings, leaving some users frustrated.
In a statement to news rooms, WhatsApp defended the rollout:
“We regularly add new features to WhatsApp — just this year we’ve introduced Music on Status, new chat themes, camera effects, and stickers. All these, like Meta AI, are entirely optional, and people can choose to use them or not. We think offering these options is a good thing and we’re always listening to user feedback.”
The Meta AI chatbot works much like any regular WhatsApp chat. Users can type a message directly to the AI, mention it in other chats using @Meta AI, or forward messages to it for extra information.
Meta says the chatbot will soon support image generation as well, though that feature isn’t active yet.
What About Privacy?
Meta clarifies that the AI can only see messages sent directly to it — it doesn’t read personal conversations, which remain protected by end-to-end encryption.
Additionally, chats with the AI don’t feed its training models, according to the company. Users can also delete their AI chat history or request deletion of specific messages.
However, critics have pointed out that while users can simply choose not to interact with Meta AI, the ever-present blue circle cannot be switched off. That’s led to growing annoyance among some users, who feel it’s intrusive.
Joshua Breckman, a communications director at WhatsApp, addressed concerns, saying:
“You need to take an action to chat to or invoke Meta AI — it’s not ‘on’ until you choose to use it. Personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted. We make any chat with AI visually distinct so it’s clear when you’re speaking to Meta AI.”
For those seeking extra control, WhatsApp is introducing Advanced Chat Privacy, a new feature designed to prevent AI and others from pulling content out of chats. It will also block auto-downloading of media and exporting messages for AI interactions.
This tool hasn’t fully rolled out globally yet, with some regions like the UK still waiting.
The Bottom Line
Despite Meta’s assurances that the AI chatbot is purely optional, the inability to remove its icon has struck a nerve with privacy-conscious users.
While some might appreciate quick recipe tips or trivia from an AI assistant, others simply want a clean, bot-free messaging experience.
