Popular messaging platform WhatsApp has come to defend its decision to include an AI tool embedded through the messaging service.
The company says that it’s a totally optional feature, but that’s strange as there’s no means to remove it from the platform right now.
The feature arises in the form of a Meta AI logo that’s seen as a blue circle featuring pink and green splashes at the Chats screen's bottom right. When you interact with the chatbot, it gives you the option to put out queries, and it will do its best to respond. The matter might sound like fun and games for the company, but users are far from impressed.
Many were quick to take to their accounts on social media to voice anger and frustration. The only reason is that they cannot delete or disable it from the platform. If you remember, it’s quite like the Recall feature from Microsoft. It was always on and kicking before the company had no choice but to give an option for disabling, as it was not getting much love.
People benefiting from such options is a great feature, but we do understand how some might not love it at first or be interested in the change, the app’s spokesperson shared during a recent interview with the BBC. They’re listening to feedback and hope to announce a decision related to it soon.
Now the problem is that WhatsApp isn’t seeing eye to eye with users on this one. The majority aren’t a fan, and the fact that the platform is likening it to other options on the platform, such as channels and status, is the concerning part.
The news comes around the same time that we saw the platform share updates to teen accounts for Instagram. Right now, it is just in the experimental phase across the US to test how AI can be used to locate teens who might be lying about their ages on the Instagram app.
If you’re reading this right now and cannot relate to most of it as you don’t see the blue circle just yet, well, then that’s because it’s not launched in your region yet.
The feature is up for grabs to only some users around the globe, and even in those places where it was launched, not all users don’t have access to it just yet.
Other than the blue circle, there’s a search bar located at the top that invites people to ‘Ask Meta AI or even Search’. Interestingly, it’s also an option for both Instagram and Facebook Messenger that comes under the ownership of Meta.
The Llama 4 AI chatbot is the company’s biggest LLM in operation right now. The only issue that users have is why the company fails to understand that it’s not optional, as there’s no way to disable it. The only thing they seem to be boasting about is how it can respond to queries, teach new things, and assist with innovative ideas.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Crisis Point: IWF Sounds Alarm on Record Rise in Child Abuse Imagery Online
The company says that it’s a totally optional feature, but that’s strange as there’s no means to remove it from the platform right now.
The feature arises in the form of a Meta AI logo that’s seen as a blue circle featuring pink and green splashes at the Chats screen's bottom right. When you interact with the chatbot, it gives you the option to put out queries, and it will do its best to respond. The matter might sound like fun and games for the company, but users are far from impressed.
Many were quick to take to their accounts on social media to voice anger and frustration. The only reason is that they cannot delete or disable it from the platform. If you remember, it’s quite like the Recall feature from Microsoft. It was always on and kicking before the company had no choice but to give an option for disabling, as it was not getting much love.
People benefiting from such options is a great feature, but we do understand how some might not love it at first or be interested in the change, the app’s spokesperson shared during a recent interview with the BBC. They’re listening to feedback and hope to announce a decision related to it soon.
Now the problem is that WhatsApp isn’t seeing eye to eye with users on this one. The majority aren’t a fan, and the fact that the platform is likening it to other options on the platform, such as channels and status, is the concerning part.
The news comes around the same time that we saw the platform share updates to teen accounts for Instagram. Right now, it is just in the experimental phase across the US to test how AI can be used to locate teens who might be lying about their ages on the Instagram app.
If you’re reading this right now and cannot relate to most of it as you don’t see the blue circle just yet, well, then that’s because it’s not launched in your region yet.
The feature is up for grabs to only some users around the globe, and even in those places where it was launched, not all users don’t have access to it just yet.
Other than the blue circle, there’s a search bar located at the top that invites people to ‘Ask Meta AI or even Search’. Interestingly, it’s also an option for both Instagram and Facebook Messenger that comes under the ownership of Meta.
The Llama 4 AI chatbot is the company’s biggest LLM in operation right now. The only issue that users have is why the company fails to understand that it’s not optional, as there’s no way to disable it. The only thing they seem to be boasting about is how it can respond to queries, teach new things, and assist with innovative ideas.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Crisis Point: IWF Sounds Alarm on Record Rise in Child Abuse Imagery Online
