WhatsApp adds incognito mode for Meta AI chats

In short: WhatsApp is rolling out an incognito mode for chats with Meta AI, and Meta says those conversations are not saved and disappear when you close them.

What happened

Meta said it is adding a way to start “incognito” conversations with its Meta AI chatbot inside WhatsApp. You will be able to start an incognito session by tapping a new icon in your one-on-one chat with Meta AI.

Meta said the same option will also be available in the standalone Meta AI app. The company said the feature will roll out over the next few months.

According to Meta, incognito conversations are processed in a “secure environment” and cannot be seen by anyone. Meta also said these chats are not saved, and messages will disappear by default once you close the chat. The session also ends if you close the app or lock your phone, and Meta AI will not remember what you talked about in that session.

WhatsApp has been building what it calls “private processing” to add AI features without breaking end-to-end encryption. End-to-end encryption means only the people in a chat can read the messages, like sending a locked box where only the receiver has the key.

Why it matters

More people are using chatbots for personal questions, like health, money, or how to reply to a difficult message. An incognito option can make those conversations feel more like a temporary note than a saved thread.

It also comes as privacy concerns around AI chats are growing. Reuters recently reported that lawyers have warned AI chatbot conversations could potentially be used in legal cases, depending on the situation.

Source: TechCrunch AI