WhatsApp Enhances Privacy with Advanced Chat Feature
BUCHAREST — April 29, 2025 — WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature designed to enhance user privacy, specifically its advanced chat privacy settings. This feature addresses concerns about how user conversations are used, including preventing their use in training AI models. The new settings offer greater control over how and where conversation data can be used.
This update, according to WhatsApp, aims to empower users by providing more control over who sees their chat content and how it’s used. the advanced chat feature includes options to block exports to prevent content going outside of WhatsApp and to prevent media from automatically downloading, strengthening users’ data privacy. For those seeking to bolster their data privacy, updates from WhatsApp explain how.
WhatsApp Enhances User Privacy with New Advanced Chat Feature
WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature designed to give users greater control over their chat privacy. This advanced chat privacy feature aims to protect conversations from unintended uses, including preventing their use in training artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Key Features of Advanced Chat Privacy
- Blocking Chat Exports: Prevents unauthorized exporting of chat content.
- Preventing automatic Media Downloads: Stops media from automatically downloading to other devices.
- Prohibiting AI Training: Restricts the use of conversations for AI feature growth.
according to WhatsApp,conversations in chat and group become more protected and cannot be used outside the application context.
Pro Tip:
Regularly review your privacy settings on WhatsApp to ensure they align with your preferences. Activating advanced chat privacy can substantially enhance your control over your data.
Activation and Availability
The advanced chat privacy feature is not enabled by default. Users must manually activate it for each individual chat and group.
To activate, users should:
- Open the chat.
- Tap the name of the chat at the top.
- Select the advanced Chat Privacy option.
Did you Know?
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption by default, which already provides a significant layer of security. Advanced Chat Privacy adds an extra layer of control for users concerned about data usage.
Current Status and Future Updates
while WhatsApp states that the feature is available for users who have updated to the latest version, some users may not see it instantly. This could be due to a phased rollout.
WhatsApp plans to expand the scope of protection in future updates to further optimize user safety.
WhatsApp is committed to user privacy and is continuously working to enhance security measures. The introduction of advanced chat privacy is a step toward giving users more control over their data and conversations.
Additional Context
The move to introduce advanced chat privacy comes amid growing concerns about how tech companies use user data, particularly for training AI models. By giving users the option to prevent their chats from being used for AI training, WhatsApp is addressing these concerns and empowering users to make informed decisions about their privacy.
Pro Tip:
Be patient if you don’t see the feature right away. App updates can take time to reach all users. Keep checking for updates in your app store.
Expert Opinion
This feature is a welcome addition to WhatsApp’s privacy toolkit. It demonstrates a commitment to giving users more control over their data and how its used.
A Cybersecurity Analyst