Overview

• WhatsApp's 'Advanced Chat Privacy' feature, now live, aims to enhance confidentiality by restricting chat exports, media downloads, and AI integration.
• The feature builds on end-to-end encryption and existing privacy tools like self-deleting messages and chat locks.
• Designed for sensitive group settings, such as health support groups, it allows users to activate protections per chat through app settings.
• Critics argue that the feature offers limited security, as metadata collection continues and participants can still take screenshots or manually share content.
• An iOS 15.1 requirement for WhatsApp will take effect on May 5, 2025, impacting users of older iPhones like the iPhone 5s and iPhone 6.