Meta AI, the artificial intelligence chatbot integrated into WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook, has officially launched in the European Union as of March 22, 2025. This rollout comes after a delay due to necessary adaptations to comply with stringent EU data protection regulations. The new feature has become a talking point among users, especially with its distinctive blue circle symbol that leads to a chat with the AI assistant.
As reported by dpa/tmn, the blue circle symbolizes the gateway to a chat with Meta's AI assistant. However, many users are discovering that this feature cannot be completely removed or deactivated. Currently, if users have agreed to the terms of use and privacy policy and have interacted with Meta AI, they can only delete individual chats. To do this, users can swipe the chat to the left and select "More/Delete" on Android or simply "Delete" on iOS. This limitation has raised concerns among users who are wary of sharing personal or sensitive information.
Meta AI is designed to assist users with everyday questions, offering suggestions for gift ideas, recipes, and even real-time web research. It supports communication in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Italian. Users can activate the AI by typing "@MetaAI" in their chats. In group chats, all participants must tag the assistant to pose a question, as highlighted by Tagesschau.
Despite the potential benefits of this AI tool, privacy advocates express serious concerns. Christine Steffen from the Verbraucherzentrale NRW warned that data entered for requests is visible to Meta. She noted, "Typically, messages in WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the sender and recipient can read the contents. However, in this case, everything I write can be seen by the provider." This raises significant questions about user privacy and the handling of personal data.
Furthermore, while Meta assures users that end-to-end encryption for messages and calls remains intact, conversations with the AI can still be utilized to improve the service without user consent. This aspect of data usage has sparked further debate over the ethical implications of AI in messaging platforms.
Meta has emphasized that the AI integration is not a standalone application like ChatGPT, but rather a feature embedded within existing apps. In the U.S., Meta AI was introduced in September 2023, where it offers additional functionalities such as image generation and stylized selfies. However, in Europe, the current rollout is limited to text-based interactions, with plans for further enhancements in the future.
As users in Europe begin to see the blue-red circle on their devices, they are encouraged to ensure they have the latest version of WhatsApp to access the feature. Meta is gradually rolling out the system in waves, and those who do not yet see the circle can expect it within days or weeks.
While many users are excited about the potential of AI assistance in their daily lives, the inability to deactivate the feature has left some feeling uneasy. The question of whether users can opt-out of this new functionality has been met with a straightforward answer: "You cannot deactivate this feature in this experience, but you can simply tap the search button after entering your question to search in the traditional way." This response has not alleviated concerns for many.
Consumer advocates continue to scrutinize Meta's approach, especially in light of the company's controversial plans to use publicly accessible Facebook and Instagram posts to train the AI. These discussions highlight the ongoing tension between technological advancement and user privacy rights.
As Meta continues to expand its AI capabilities, the company is reportedly working on a standalone AI application that could rival ChatGPT. This development could further change the landscape of how users interact with technology, raising even more questions about privacy, data usage, and the ethical implications of AI.
In summary, the introduction of Meta AI in Europe marks a significant step in the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday communication. However, the inability to deactivate the feature and concerns about data privacy remain significant hurdles that the company must address moving forward. As the rollout continues, users and advocates alike will be watching closely to see how Meta navigates these challenges.
