Meta Launches "Incognito Chat" on WhatsApp for Private AI Conversations
- tech360.tv
- May 14
- 2 min read
Meta Platforms is rolling out a new "Incognito Chat" feature for its artificial intelligence assistant on WhatsApp. This initiative aims to address prevalent data privacy concerns surrounding AI interactions.
Incognito chats will be powered by Meta's private processing technology, ensuring conversations remain invisible. This includes preventing the company itself from accessing the chat content.
The company stated in a blog post, "Your conversations are not saved and by default, your messages disappear — giving you a space to think and explore ideas without anyone watching." This provides users with a secure environment for engagement.
This move comes amid user apprehension about data storage and usage by AI companies. Individuals often share sensitive personal, financial, health, or work-related information with AI assistants.
Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart addressed user concerns in a media briefing, stating, "We're starting to ask a lot of meaningful questions about our lives with AI systems. It doesn't always feel like you should have to share the information behind those questions with the companies that run those AI systems."
According to a company website, messages shared with Meta AI may be used to improve its AI models. However, personal chats on WhatsApp remain protected by end-to-end encryption and are not accessible for that purpose.
Cathcart confirmed that incognito chat is currently text-only, meaning users cannot upload images. The AI will also feature built-in safety guardrails, designed to refuse problematic questions or redirect conversations.
Meta also plans to introduce "Side Chat" with Meta AI in the coming months. This feature will allow users to obtain private assistance directly within any WhatsApp chat.
Meta Platforms is launching "Incognito Chat" for private AI conversations on WhatsApp.
The feature uses private processing technology, making conversations invisible to all, including Meta.
Conversations are not saved, and messages disappear by default, as stated by the company.
Source: REUTERS
