WhatsApp messenger has introduced the Advanced Chat Privacy feature, which allows users to block chat export, automatic media saving, and the use of messages for AI — all for better privacy in groups and private conversations.
The new feature is available for both private conversations and group chats. According to the developers, it will come in handy during sensitive discussions, especially with people you don’t know personally. When the feature is activated:
Despite this, users can still take screenshots and manually save files, so the feature does not guarantee absolute isolation.
WhatsApp has already started rolling out the feature to all users who have updated the application to the latest version.
This release took place against the backdrop of growing pressure on companies that work with personal data. The European Commission recently fined Meta €200 million for violating the DMA — in particular, for its “consent-or-pay model” that did not give users an alternative to personalization. At the same time, Meta said that such restrictions put American businesses at risk by allowing European and Chinese companies to operate according to different standards.
Advanced Chat Privacy is another step WhatsApp takes towards protecting privacy in the digital age. The feature does not eliminate all risks, but it increases the ability to control the distribution of personal data in chats. Against the background of global discussions about users’ digital rights, such innovations could change the perception of privacy in popular applications.
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