Summary: Meta has recently rolled out its AI chatbot within WhatsApp across the EU, including the UK and Australia. However, the inability to remove the Meta AI button frustrates many WhatsApp users. Notably, the issue has also drawn the attention of EU lawmakers.
If you live in the EU and recently noticed a multi-colored ring button right in WhatsApp, you’re not alone. For those unaware, that button is a shortcut to the Meta AI chatbot, which the company recently rolled out across the EU, including the UK and Australia. While there wasn’t much noise around its 2023 rollout in the US and Canada, Meta’s little AI button has now become a topic of controversy.
The new non-removable Meta AI button is giving headaches to WhatsApp users
Although WhatsApp has been a go-to messaging app for users in the EU, the new AI button is giving them a headache. Users are fuming because there’s no way to turn off Meta AI in WhatsApp. It just sits right there in your chat section, peeking at you every time you text someone. Meta has also integrated the AI button in WhatsApp’s search bar, which says, “Ask Meta AI or Search.”
Those concerned about their privacy have questioned Meta’s decision to add the AI button within the WhatsApp app. Additionally, Meta addressed such concerns in its Help Page, under the “Chatting with Meta AI through WhatsApp” section.
The company notes, “The most important thing to know is that your personal messages with friends and family are off limits. AIs can read what is shared with them, but your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted. Only people inside the chat can read or share them.”
Despite the company’s apparent assurance, Meta AI does not encrypt your chats. Meta says that it can use the information you share with the chatbot to train AI models. This is why the company notes, “Don’t send messages to Meta with information you don’t want it to know.”
The feature has already caught the attention of the EU lawmakers
Meta recently announced the Llama 4 model, which now powers the Meta AI. So, it’s safe to assume that Meta isn’t removing that AI button just yet, or is it? On April 8, a Member of the European Parliament tweeted and questioned the Executive VP and Commissioner whether or not the lack of option to remove the AI button “aligns with EU rules.”
Meta is already awaiting the EU’s verdict in an antitrust case. The regulators have accused the company of violating the DMA Act. Now, the company is yet again in the spotlight. Only time will tell how Meta addresses this situation or whether the EU will step in once again.
