Apr 25, 2025
By: Scott Townsend via Substack
WhatsApp's Meta AI: Optional But Unavoidable?
WhatsApp's recent addition of Meta AI has sparked controversy among users who find themselves unable to remove the persistent blue circle from their app. Despite Meta describing this feature as "entirely optional," many users are frustrated by its permanent presence in their messaging interface. This disconnect raises important questions about user choice, privacy, and the growing integration of AI into our everyday communication tools.
What is WhatsApp and Meta Trying to Do?
WhatsApp, owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), is the largest private messaging platform in the world. In recent months, Meta has been aggressively introducing AI features across all its platforms - Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
The new Meta AI appears as a blue circle with pink and green splashes in the bottom right of your Chats screen, or as an "Ask Meta AI or Search" prompt in the search bar. Meta describes this AI chatbot as a helpful assistant that "can answer your questions, teach you something, or help come up with new ideas". [NOTE: Yes, they are always trying to be “helpful”, but at what cost? This is a key problem, because we don’t want to overexpose our conversational data and contacts. This is the AI arms race we see today and it should be resisted.]
This move is part of Meta's broader strategy to integrate AI across all its platforms. Meta's AI chatbot is powered by their Llama 4 large language model [NOTE: This is Meta’s latest model, and it is quite good from some reports, but not as strong from other analysts that I follow. Their opinion, and I would tend to agree with them is there is an all out race to AI supremacy and the product development teams are trying to get to the top of the mountain as quickly as possible…which is why you see so many pundits saying such behavior is very reckless]. The company is positioning AI as a central component of their services moving forward, joining other tech giants in the AI race.
Why is it happening now?
Meta is competing with other tech companies in the rapidly growing AI market
AI features can provide new ways to engage users and keep them on the platform
The global AI market is estimated to reach $407 billion by 2027
The "Optional" Feature That Can't Be Disabled
Here's where things get confusing. Meta describes its AI as "entirely optional" despite the fact that users cannot remove it from their app (here). WhatsApp told the BBC, "We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users".
The company likens the feature to other permanent options in the app like 'channels' and 'status'. However, this explanation hasn't satisfied many users who feel the AI has been forced upon them.
As Tuta.com explains: "There's currently no way to turn off AI in WhatsApp but there are other options you can consider which will allow you to message your friends and loved ones with better privacy, and no AI features" (here).
Guardian columnist Polly Hudson was among those expressing frustration, likening it to "the time Apple annoyed everyone by adding a U2 album to their devices. At least it was possible to delete that free U2 album that Apple foisted on its customers in 2014; there is no way to remove Meta AI from WhatsApp".
Evidence of AI Intrusion and Privacy Implications
Data Training Concerns: Users have expressed frustration and concerns that Meta may be seeking to use their private chats to train the AI bot. The company is already under fire for unethical AI training practices, including scraping all public Facebook and Instagram posts since 2007 and using pirated eBooks from torrents.
Expert Criticism: Dr. Kris Shrishak, an adviser on AI and privacy, was highly critical of the move, accusing Meta of "exploiting its existing market" and "using people as test subjects for AI". He emphasized that "No one should be forced to use AI".
Security Vulnerabilities: As AI becomes more integrated into smart devices, security risks increase. IoT devices with AI have a larger "attack surface" for cybercriminals, making them potentially more vulnerable to hacking (here). This raises concerns about the security implications of having AI embedded in messaging platforms.
Evidence to the Contrary
End-to-End Encryption: WhatsApp emphasizes that personal messages remain protected by end-to-end encryption. Meta states, "Meta can't read any other messages in your personal chats, as your personal messages remain end to end encrypted". [NOTE: Then we must ask ourselves how much we trust Meta? Given their past, not much I think.]
Opt-In Interaction: Meta AI "can only read messages people share with it". The chatbot cannot access messages directly unless chat participants choose to share chats with the bot.
Advanced Chat Privacy Option: WhatsApp has quietly introduced an "Advanced Chat Privacy" feature that allows users to block Meta AI on a chat-by-chat basis. When activated, this setting prevents others from "utilizing messages for AI functions," essentially allowing users to block the AI in specific conversations. [NOTE: This is worth exploring if you use WhatsApp…I don’t so I can’t help with that one.]
AI in Mobile Apps: Current Trends and Future Direction
The integration of AI in mobile applications is rapidly evolving beyond just a trend – it's becoming a fundamental strategic component for app developers.
Current AI trends in mobile apps include:
Hyper-personalization of content and recommendations
Virtual assistants and advanced chatbots
Image and voice recognition capabilities
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences
Fraud detection and enhanced security measures
According to industry data, the AI app sector generated $2.5 billion in 2022 and is growing at an estimated annual rate of 38.3% through 2028. This explosive growth is evident in the App Store, where apps with "AI" in their names have increased by 1033% since 2020 (here).
The Spectrum of AI Integration in Smart Devices
Smart devices have evolved from simple internet-connected gadgets to sophisticated AI-powered tools:
Before AI integration: IoT devices had "simpler, more static functionalities, resulting in lower data privacy and security risks". These devices could connect to the internet and perform specific programmed tasks but couldn't learn from user interactions or adapt over time.
Current state: Manufacturers now integrate AI into IoT devices to help them "understand" and better cater to user needs and behaviors. This enhances user experience but also increases potential security and privacy vulnerabilities.
Advanced integration: The most sophisticated implementations include continuous learning capabilities where AI systems adapt to user preferences, predict behaviors, and offer increasingly personalized experiences.
The Future of "Full" AI Capability
The question of how capable AI can become is a subject of ongoing debate among experts:
Who's working on advanced AI?
Major tech companies (Meta, Google, Microsoft, OpenAI)
Research institutions and universities
Government-sponsored programs
International collaborations (like the UK-led AI Safety Summit)
Where is AI heading?
No consensus exists on the upper limits of future AI capabilities
Some experts believe human-level or super-human AI could emerge within decades, while others are skeptical
The capability and risks of AI are increasingly international concerns, with global summits addressing these issues [NOTE: Hello, Watchmen and Watchwomen…where do you think this is going?]
Safety concerns include:
The need for technical robustness to ensure reliable operation under various conditions
Potential bias and underrepresentation in AI systems
Privacy and data security concerns as AI becomes more integrated into daily life
The importance of establishing global cooperation in defining AI risks and developing mitigation solutions
As the UK-hosted global AI Safety Summit emphasized, there is growing international recognition of the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the safe and responsible development of increasingly capable AI systems (here).
What Can Users Do?
While you can't completely remove Meta AI from WhatsApp, you can:
Use the new "Advanced Chat Privacy" setting to block AI in specific conversations
Mute the Meta AI chat notifications to reduce its presence
Consider alternative messaging platforms if privacy is a primary concern
As AI continues to evolve and integrate into our digital lives, the balance between innovation and user choice remains a critical conversation for both tech companies and consumers.
Summary
In typical fashion, as if we needed further examples, the rush for putting AI into our lives is a known threat to our privacy, safety (yes—I said that—I’m thinking these AI-based profiles can become the targeting profile for Followers of Jesus Christ), and out of control velocity to “stay relevant” reduces efforts on the safety protocols that should be put in place. But, to me at least, it’s like we are so far beyond the normal checks and balances that it’s easier to see how much of a threat is coming at a certain point in time.
So, be smart in this season. Be sure that if you have used WhatsApp you are doing so understanding the risks. In typical fashion, major software companies rollout features in chunks, so it is very possible you will not see the AI icon in your device. It may or may not roll out in the United States, but it likely will.
My commitment is to help us think about AI intrusion and bring my take on what is happening and why. I stress, as I have consistently been doing, that we want to avoid using AI as much as possible, unless of course your work requires it.