Latest news with #AdvancedChatPrivacy
Engadget
3 days ago
- Engadget
AI-powered chat summaries are coming to WhatsApp
Meta is adding a new Message Summaries feature to WhatsApp that uses AI to summarize unread messages in a few bullet points. The feature is built on the Private Processing technique Meta announced at Llamacon in April, and claims to let AI work with content in WhatsApp without exposing any of it to Meta itself. Once the feature appears in your app, you just tap on the onscreen banner over your unread messages with that says "Summarize privately" to receive a summary from Meta AI. The Message Summaries feature is rolling out to WhatsApp users in the US chatting in English first, but Meta says it hopes to "bring it to other languages and countries later this year." The company pitches summaries as an easier way to catch-up on what you missed if you haven't checked your phone or you're just in too many chats. AI is by no means foolproof at even simple tasks like this — Apple's trouble with notification summaries was only a few months ago — but the tool could be appealing to people in particularly large and active chats. The real novelty of the summaries is how Meta claims to be deploying them without walking back the private nature of WhatsApp chats. The company has a blog post and whitepaper digging into the details of how Private Processing works, but on first blush it sounds similar to Private Cloud Compute, the method Apple uses to call on more demanding AI features without exposing its users' data. Using end-to-end encryption and a secure cloud environment, WhatsApp messages can be processed without data being accessed while its happening, or saved after the fact. Importantly, all of this is still optional. Summaries won't be provided without you asking for them first, and the feature is disabled by default. Meta also says you can exclude chats from being shared with the company's AI via the Advanced Chat Privacy feature.
India Today
08-05-2025
- India Today
WhatsApp will soon summarise your chats privately, thanks to Meta AI
Meta introduced Meta AI to WhatsApp in April 2024. Since then, the company has been actively working to bring new features on board. These features aim to make WhatsApp more user-friendly and efficient. Adding on to the list, Meta's messaging app is currently working on to introduce a message summarisation feature. Powered by MetaAI, the feature is designed to summerise your chats in personal conversations, groups, and channels. This will not only help you understand the crux of the message, but will also save you time. According to the WABeta report, this feature has already been rolled out for the WhatsApp Beta version. advertisementWhatsApp message summarisation featureWhatsApp is working on a new feature that will let you catch up on long conversations more easily by offering private summaries of unread messages, powered by Meta AI. This function is particularly useful for group chats and busy channels, where staying on top of new messages can be overwhelming. How will it work? According to the WABeta report, when a conversation has a high volume of unread messages, a button will appear prompting you to generate a summary. If you choose to use it, your request will be securely handled using Meta's Private Processing technology, an infrastructure specifically designed to protect message content. The entire process is carried out in a secure environment, ensuring that neither WhatsApp, Meta, nor any third party has access to your messages. The summary is delivered directly back to your device without any of the message content being stored or Despite the strong privacy safeguards in place — with many parts of the Private Processing system even being open-sourced for scrutiny by security researchers — the feature will not be available in chats where Advanced Chat Privacy is turned on. This is not due to concerns about the technology's security, but rather to respect users who prefer not to use AI-based tools in certain summarisation option will appear in chats, groups, and channels, giving users a quick way to regain context without trawling through every message — all while upholding end-to-end encryption. The feature is expected to be included in a future Advanced Chat Privacy featureMeta has introduced a new Advanced Chat Privacy setting on WhatsApp, offering users even greater control over their conversations—particularly useful in group chats where not all participants are personally familiar with one latest feature builds on WhatsApp's existing privacy toolkit, which already includes disappearing messages and chat locks. Now, you can go a step further by disabling chat exports, stopping media from being saved automatically, and blocking the use of your messages with external AI activated, Advanced Chat Privacy applies to everyone in the chat. To enable it, simply open the chat or group, tap the name at the top, and choose the new privacy option. Meta says this setting is designed with sensitive discussions in mind—especially in cases where people may be discussing personal matters but aren't closely goal is to give users more peace of mind, knowing that their content remains within the app and under their control.
The Verge
07-05-2025
- The Verge
May 7, 2025 at 7:21 AM EDT
Message summaries are coming to WhatsApp. The WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.15.12 update includes an in-development AI feature that privately summarizes messages in chats, groups, and channels, allowing users to quickly catch up on lengthy conversations. It isn't available for testing yet, but WABetaInfo notes the summarization feature won't be available in chats where Advanced Chat Privacy is enabled when it does roll out.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Indian Express
Voice and video calling coming soon to WhatsApp web apps for Windows and MacOS
Meta has started testing native voice and video calling capabilities on the WhatsApp web client, according to WABetaInfo's latest report from Monday. Meta is currently testing this feature on both Windows and macOS versions of the WhatsApp web app, which will allow users to make and receive calls directly from their computers. This new feature will benefit users who primarily access WhatsApp on desktops and laptops, ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms. It will be available for both individual and group calls, allowing users to connect even when their smartphone is not nearby. Do note that WhatsApp web clients on Windows and MacOS do not allow users to directly log in to their WhatsApp account. Instead, they enable users to attach them as companion devices. WhatsApp currently allows four companion devices per account, which could be smartphones, web clients, or direct web login. Voice and video calling are coming to WhatsApp web clients. (Image credit: WABetaInfo) At present, users can only make calls on WhatsApp via a smartphone. The upcoming feature will extend this functionality to companion devices. However, it remains unclear whether WhatsApp will support voice and video calling through web browsers. The feature is currently in beta testing and is expected to roll out to users in the coming weeks. Once available, users will be able to initiate a voice or video call from the top right corner of the app. Incoming calls will also be supported, making it easier for users to take WhatsApp calls on their work computers. WhatsApp is also testing the ability to react to messages using stickers, allowing users to express themselves beyond emojis. This feature is currently under development and is expected to launch in the next few weeks. Additionally, Meta has recently improved WhatsApp's security with a feature called Advanced Chat Privacy. This feature prevents users from exporting chats or automatically downloading media to the device library, helping keep sensitive content secure.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Express Tribune
WhatsApp introduces new Advanced Chat Privacy feature
Listen to article WhatsApp has officially introduced a new feature, Advanced Chat Privacy, aimed at giving users greater control over how their messages and media are handled in both private and group chats. Initially leaked earlier this month, the feature has now been made available to all users. When enabled, Advanced Chat Privacy prevents others in a conversation from exporting chats, disables the automatic downloading of media to their devices, and restricts the use of messages in AI-powered features within WhatsApp. However, the tool does not currently block screenshots, a limitation WhatsApp has yet to address. According to WhatsApp, this feature is particularly valuable for group chats where participants may not know each other personally, such as health support groups or community organisation chats. Advanced Chat Privacy provides users with a higher degree of security over their messages after they are sent. To activate the feature, users must open a chat, tap on the chat name at the top, and find the Advanced Chat Privacy option within the settings. The feature must be enabled individually for each chat, as it does not apply universally across all conversations. WhatsApp has indicated that this is the first iteration of the Advanced Chat Privacy tool, with plans to introduce further enhancements and additional privacy controls in future updates.
