Meta says WhatsApp’s AI is optional, but it’s hard to believe

In recent weeks, WhatsApp users have noticed a new blue circle appearing in their chats, signaling the arrival of Meta’s AI assistant. While the company claims the feature is optional, users cannot remove the shortcut from their screens, raising concerns about control, privacy, and user experience.

The blue circle is here to stay

According to Meta, using the AI assistant is completely optional: users can simply ignore it and continue using WhatsApp normally. However, the shortcut remains visible, similar to the tabs for channels or statuses, whether users interact with it or not. Even searching through settings provides no way to disable it, making the “optional” nature questionable for many.

Privacy concerns and legal debates

Meta insists that conversations with the AI are not end-to-end encrypted, unlike regular chats. This has sparked debates about privacy, even though experts confirm that the implementation remains legal. Meta states it does not use these chats to train its AI models or for external purposes, but the visibility of the feature alone is enough to unsettle many users.

Meta’s strategy and user reactions

By prominently displaying the AI icon, Meta ensures that millions are likely to engage with it, even if only out of curiosity. This strategy boosts interaction rates but also alienates users who value choice and transparency. Many users hope for future updates that will allow hiding or removing the icon, but for now, it seems the blue circle is here to stay.