WhatsApp Adds 'Advanced Chat Privacy' Feature to Boost User Protection

April 24, 2025 In a major privacy-focused update, WhatsApp has launched a new feature called Advanced Chat Privacy, designed to provide users with an extra layer of control over their personal and group conversations. Available on both Android and iOS, this update is part of WhatsApp’s ongoing commitment to privacy and user security.

WhatsApp What is Advanced Chat Privacy?

The Advanced Chat Privacy feature is built to restrict the export of chats, disable automatic media downloads, and limit how your messages are used in AI features like Meta AI. While WhatsApp already offers end-to-end encryption, this new functionality enhances security by preventing recipients from sharing content outside of the chat.

This feature is particularly useful in group chats with sensitive discussions, such as those about health, community issues, or personal matters, where participants may not all know each other well.

Key Features

• Block Chat Exports: Prevent others from saving or exporting your conversation content.

• Disable Auto Media Downloads: Stops media (photos, videos, etc.) from being auto-downloaded onto others’ devices.

• Restrict AI Usage: Prevents your messages from being used in Meta AI functionalities, ensuring added control over data usage.

WhatsApp said, “This way, everyone in the chat has greater confidence that no one can take what is being said outside the chat.”

How to Activate Advanced Chat Privacy

To enable the feature:

Open a chat (individual or group).

Tap the Chat name at the top.

Scroll and tap Advanced Chat Privacy.

Toggle the settings as needed.

This update is being rolled out to all users with the latest version of the app.

What’s Next?

WhatsApp has confirmed that this is just the first version of Advanced Chat Privacy. Future updates will bring additional protections as the platform continues to refine privacy tools. WhatsApp also reminds users of other privacy features like disappearing messages, chat locks, and two-step verification already available on the app.