Claim – With the rise of AI, WhatsApp groups are allegedly being accessed by bots that steal data. The only way to stop it would be activating the ‘Advanced Chat Privacy’ feature.
Analysis
Alarmist messages have been circulating among WhatsApp users, claiming that artificial intelligence technologies are accessing group messages and even private chats. The supposedly preventive alert recommends that everyone enable a feature called “Advanced Chat Privacy” to avoid this type of virtual spying.
The viral message, which has reached numerous groups and social media pages, provides a step-by-step guide for activating this alleged security setting, claiming it would prevent AIs from stealing data like phone numbers and personal information stored on the device. Read the viral message below:
Hello, friends. Just a quick warning about WhatsApp groups and privacy. With all this AI stuff going on, some strange things are happening… Apparently, if we don’t activate an advanced privacy option, AIs can access group messages, see phone numbers, and even steal personal information from the phone—even from private conversations.
To prevent this, do the following: 1 Open the group 2 Tap the name at the top under “Group Info” 3 Scroll down and activate the “Advanced Chat Privacy” option (or similar, depending on your phone’s language). Do this as soon as possible and share it with other groups you’re in, especially if you’re an admin. Better safe than sorry.
Fact-check
Despite raising concerns, the message’s content is completely misleading. The three central questions of our verification are: 1) Can AIs access WhatsApp group messages? 2) What does the Advanced Chat Privacy option do? 3) Have similar fake news stories about WhatsApp circulated before?
Can AIs access WhatsApp group messages?
No. WhatsApp messages are protected by end-to-end encryption, which prevents any third party—including artificial intelligences—from viewing or accessing the content of conversations. Not even WhatsApp itself has access to these messages. The system is designed to ensure privacy and security between sender and recipient. This structure prevents message data from being collected or misused by external technologies. If any AI is being trained, it is not accessing your groups or private chats on WhatsApp directly.
What does the Advanced Chat Privacy option do?
WhatsApp has indeed released a feature called Advanced Chat Privacy, but it is unrelated to message reading or spying. The function was developed to enhance privacy during calls, offering features like hiding user IP addresses, protecting notifications, and preventing screenshots in certain situations. In short, the feature does not block AI or prevent third-party access to chats—since such access is already prevented by encryption.
Have similar fake news stories about WhatsApp circulated?
Yes. False alerts involving WhatsApp are very common. In the past, we’ve debunked hoaxes claiming that the app would stop working on certain dates or begin charging for photo sharing. A recent example is the fake warning that WhatsApp would stop working on “the 31st” if users didn’t update it.
Other messages claimed that WhatsApp would charge for image sharing or would share private conversations with Facebook. These rumors follow a common formula: alarmist language, urgent instructions, and fear-based manipulation over privacy loss.
Conclusion
The message claiming that artificial intelligences are accessing WhatsApp group chats and that only enabling the so-called “Advanced Chat Privacy” feature can stop it is false. The app uses end-to-end encryption, which already prevents such access. Additionally, the cited feature is unrelated to message reading.
Fake news ❌
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