WhatsApp is working on a new advanced chat privacy feature aimed at enhancing user security by limiting message sharing and adding a new layer of privacy to conversations. This feature, currently in development, is expected to be released in a future update, according to reports from WABetaInfo. It was spotted in the latest WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.25.10.14, available on the Google Play Store.
Key Privacy Enhancements
One of the major changes introduced by the advanced chat privacy feature is the restriction on automatically saving media to the device gallery. Currently, this restriction is only applied to chats with disappearing messages. However, WhatsApp appears to be extending it to all conversations where users enable the new privacy setting. This means that when the feature is activated, any images or videos shared in the chat will not be automatically stored in the recipient’s gallery.
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Additionally, the new feature will introduce a set of privacy protections, including restrictions on exporting entire chat histories. This will prevent users from exporting chats that contain messages from those who have activated this setting, helping to safeguard private conversations and prevent unauthorized data transfers.
Impact on Message Forwarding and Meta AI
While the feature limits chat exports, it will not prevent users from forwarding messages. WhatsApp has opted to maintain usability by allowing message forwarding, meaning that users can still share individual messages even if chat exports are restricted. Another significant aspect of this privacy setting is its impact on Meta AI. If the advanced chat privacy feature is enabled, participants in the same conversation will not be able to interact with Meta AI in any way. This restriction ensures that private conversations remain separate from AI interactions.
No Screenshot Detection Yet
Despite the increased privacy measures, WhatsApp has not introduced a screenshot detection mechanism to prevent users from capturing chat conversations. This decision is likely due to the difficulty in enforcing screenshot restrictions, as users could still bypass them using WhatsApp Web or external methods to take screenshots. Unlike mobile apps, web clients do not offer built-in protections against screenshots, making it challenging to implement an effective restriction.
Moreover, since messages can still be forwarded, preventing screenshots would not be entirely effective. Users could simply share messages via forwarding instead of taking screenshots, making the restriction redundant.
Future Expansions and User Control
At present, the advanced chat privacy feature is limited to restricting media auto-saving, blocking chat exports, and disabling Meta AI interactions. However, since the feature is still in an early development stage, WhatsApp may introduce additional privacy tools in the future based on user feedback and further testing.
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It is also important to note that all actions restricted by this optional privacy setting will be reversed when the feature is disabled. Users will have full control over enabling or disabling these restrictions, ensuring that they can tailor their privacy settings according to their preferences.