Public reactions include calls for regulatory oversight and enhanced user rights regarding the deployment of AI technologies.

The European Commission may investigate Meta further as part of a broader examination under the Digital Markets Act.

Meta asserts that the AI tool complies with data protection regulations and processes data locally to protect privacy, but does not clarify why it cannot be turned off.

Users cannot disable the AI feature but can choose to ignore it; it is visually distinct from personal chats.

Meta's advertising model has faced scrutiny for not providing users with a true choice regarding data consent, leading to a €200 million fine from the European Commission.

The controversy surrounding WhatsApp's AI assistant underscores the ongoing debate between technological innovation and individual privacy rights.

Critics argue that this situation exemplifies a troubling trend of incorporating AI into platforms without proper opt-out options or transparency.

WhatsApp has launched a new feature called 'Advanced Chat Privacy' to enhance user control over sensitive conversations.

This feature prevents chat participants from exporting chats, auto-downloading media, and using messages for AI features, while still allowing individual screenshots and manual downloads.

The introduction of the AI feature has sparked backlash among users, with many expressing fear and anger over privacy implications.

Meta has faced criticism for unethical AI training practices, including scraping public posts from Facebook and Instagram since 2007.

Alternatives like Signal and Telegram are gaining traction among privacy-conscious users seeking options free from such AI features.