WhatsApp Advanced Privacy - alert

frankiesowner

One of the WhatsApp groups I'm in has posted an alert that group admins should turn on Advanced Privacy' to prevent Meta AI from gaining access to all sorts of personal data. This appears to be a recent thing. However others have said that the warning is a scam and should be ignored.

Is there a recent increase in the risk from Meta AI and should the Advanced Privacy be turned on to protect chats from it?

Woodstok2000

It's fake. Heres the reality:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/09/what-whatsapps-advanced-chat-privacy-really-does

soolin

if it’s the warning I think it is then it’s a viral post that’s been doing the rounds for a couple of years. Do a google search on the message or check snopes. Most if not all of these ‘share with everyone’ messages are not what they seem .

frankiesowner

OK I understand there is an element of scaremongering here BUT if the app is 'safe' why the option to chose 'advanced privacy' - which implies that there is a risk to privacy?

Woodstok2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82134936#Comment_82134936

It just gives you more control over what people can do inside the chat (e.g. exporting the conversation). The article above explains it in detail.

forgotmyname

You must know in the back of your mind that they link everything you do for their benefit. The terms and conditions are
carefully worded to make you feel like they do not snoop on your data but 100% they do.

Something recently commented on the wording being we do not use your data for advertising, so they are not denying
to using your data for other purposes. It's all in the word play and most if not all make a profit from your data.

Even the browsers that claim to keep your information safe use it to make money, that is how they keep the lights on
and pay the staff whilst giving you a product that is free or cheap. I try and keep my email and data separate but when
installing a new phone it somehow knew my real name which is strange because I rarely use it online even paypal and ebay
have 2 versions.