Viral Claim That WhatsApp Group Admins Must Enable Advanced Chat Privacy to Block Meta AI Is False.

A social media post wrongly suggests Meta AI can access entire group chats and contacts unless Advanced Chat Privacy is enabled, but WhatsApp confirms AI only sees messages directly shared with it and all chats remain end-to-end encrypted.

Image Credits:UC Today

A viral post circulating on social media has raised alarm among WhatsApp users, particularly group admins. The post claims that WhatsApp group chats are at risk from “AI-related cybersecurity threats” unless admins enable a setting called Advanced Chat Privacy. It further warns that, if this feature is not activated, AI agents possibly referring to Meta AI could legally access private messages and members’ contact details. The message has sparked concern, especially given growing public unease around artificial intelligence and data privacy. But does WhatsApp actually have such a feature, and is there any truth to the warning?

Viral Facebook Post

Fact Check-

What is Meta AI?

In April 2025, WhatsApp introduced Meta AI, a new optional feature that lets you chat with an AI inside the app. You can talk to Meta AI directly or even use it in group chats to ask questions, get quick suggestions, create images, explore topics, or forward messages for extra details. The feature is still rolling out, so availability may differ depending on your region.

If you decide to use Meta AI, the app will send your prompts, shared messages, or feedback to Meta so it can give you personalized responses. But according to WhatsApp’s Help Center, Meta AI only sees what you specifically share with it—for example, when you tag @Meta AI in a group chat or forward a message to it. It does not have access to the full group chat or anyone’s contact details.

All your personal messages and calls on WhatsApp are still end-to-end encrypted, which means no one—not even WhatsApp or Meta—can read, listen to, or share them.

WhatsApp has also added a new setting called Advanced Chat Privacy, which works in both individual and group chats. This feature gives you extra control over your conversations by limiting how your messages and media can be taken outside of WhatsApp. When turned on, it stops others from exporting chats, automatically saving photos or videos to their devices, and using your messages with AI-powered features. In short, it’s designed to keep your chats more private and within WhatsApp.

Other than this, we found that WhatsApp Beta Info on X, mentioned that ‘The viral claim is not accurate. Only messages that mention Meta AI are shared with it, and you can check if Meta AI has read your message by opening the Message Info screen. If you choose to enable Advanced Chat Privacy, you won’t be able to use some AI features, but this doesn’t mean your messages are automatically shared with Meta AI. Additionally, it is always your choice whether to interact with Meta AI.’

This account is the main source of real time information about WhatsApp.

We also found that WhatsApp also replied to the viral tweet through their business account. Calling out the claim to be untrue they said “As many commenters have already pointed out, this is not true. Meta AI on WhatsApp can only read what you choose to share with it (it does not have access to all your chats or contacts). Meta AI is not ‘on’ until you choose to use it by messaging it directly or invoking it in an existing chat. Your personal messages on WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted by default, meaning only you and the people you chat with can read or share them.”

Conclusion:

Fact Crescendo found the viral claim on social media to be False. Meta AI on WhatsApp can only see messages you directly share with it, not entire chats or contacts. All conversations remain protected by end-to-end encryption. The Advanced Chat Privacy setting adds extra safeguards but does not affect Meta AI’s access, which is already limited. Risks of data scraping come from unsafe third-party tools, not from WhatsApp or Meta AI.