Meta is developing a new privacy feature for WhatsApp, enabling “advanced privacy” for chats and giving users more control over sensitive messages.
As reported by WABetaInfo, the new feature is currently hidden in the latest WhatsApp beta version for iOS on TestFlight. Advanced Chat Privacy adds a “new layer of privacy and security to chats,” making it harder for others to share chat content.
The advanced privacy feature includes several key functionalities. For instance, chats with this feature enabled cannot be exported. Additionally, media is not automatically saved to the device’s photo library, providing an extra layer of privacy. Most importantly, Meta AI is completely disabled in chats with advanced privacy turned on, further enhancing the security of these conversations.
This feature is being developed for both individual and group chats, allowing users to manage their conversations more effectively. Although WhatsApp already offers disappearing messages, the new option aims to give users even more choice over how they manage important messages with sensitive topics.
Once available, advanced privacy for WhatsApp chats will be optional and can be managed on a per-chat basis. When a user enables this feature, other participants in the conversation will receive a notification, ensuring transparency within the chat.
This development comes shortly after WhatsApp released an update for its iOS app, allowing users running iOS 18.2 or later to set WhatsApp as their default calling and messaging app on their iPhone. The app is available for free on the App Store, and users are encouraged to update to the latest version to access new features.
