WhatsApp has rolled out a trio of privacy-focused tools aimed at empowering users with greater control over their messaging environment. The centerpiece is Advanced Chat Privacy, a new toggle within individual and group chats. When enabled, this setting prevents participants from exporting chat history, auto-downloading media, or using chat content for AI processing.

Complementing this, users can now opt in to selective media downloads, meaning images, videos, or documents won’t automatically save to their devices reducing clutter and safeguarding storage. Additionally, enhanced group privacy settings allow users to hide their phone numbers, visible only to saved contacts, strengthening privacy in larger group conversations .

These features align with WhatsApp’s push to reinforce trust in its end-to-end encrypted platform especially amid rising concern over metadata use, AI integration, and data leaks. Notably, WhatsApp’s new optional Private Processing system supports cloud-based AI tools like message summarization while promising that neither Meta nor other parties can access the content.

Together, these updates mark a significant stride toward private, user-controlled messaging, particularly beneficial in sensitive discussions.