• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
WhatsApp defends decision to quietly add controversial new feature that you can’t turn off

Home> Life

Updated 09:38 24 Apr 2025 GMT+1Published 09:29 24 Apr 2025 GMT+1

WhatsApp defends decision to quietly add controversial new feature that you can’t turn off

The AI chatbot has proven to be quite the divisive feature indeed

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

WhatsApp has defended its decision to quietly add a controversial new feature that you can’t actually turn off.

As we progress further and further into the age of technological advancement, it's clear all our favourite social media platforms are desperately trying to keep up with all the changing new trends - one of which is none other than the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI).

And WhatsApp, which is dubbed 'the most popular messaging app' with reportedly nearly three billion users, is one of the many apps on our phones which has now incorporated AI into its software - something which some people are clearly far from chuffed about.

What is WhatsApp's latest feature and why is it SO controversial? (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)
What is WhatsApp's latest feature and why is it SO controversial? (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

So, what does the feature do?

Well, you can; have conversations with Meta AI, chat with Meta AI in existing group chats as well as ask questions and get helpful recommendations.

Advert

The official website also notes that users will be able to talk about shared interests, interact with their content, create AI-generated images in chats and forward messages to Meta AI to ask questions or learn more.

The logo, which is ever-present, is a blue circle with pink and green accents which can be found in the bottom right of your Chats screen.

WhatsApp users can 'have conversations' with the new Meta AI feature (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)
WhatsApp users can 'have conversations' with the new Meta AI feature (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

Can everyone use the feature?

In short, no.

Advert

Not everyone will be able to use Meta AI as, according to its official website, WhatsApp outlines that it is 'only available in limited countries and might not be available to you yet, even if other users in your country have access'.

At this time, only English, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese are supported.

Some WhatsApp users have hit out over the 'annoying' feature which they can't 'remove' (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)
Some WhatsApp users have hit out over the 'annoying' feature which they can't 'remove' (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

What are people saying about the feature?

The new update doesn't seem to have gone down well with a fair few WhatsApp users, with many rushing to X to share their gripes.

Advert

One critic slammed: "I really don’t see why Meta thinks we need an AI in WhatsApp. It’s like forcing a feature into the users."

"Might be late to the party, but just found out @WhatsApp has effectively forced the Meta AI assistant onto me with no easy way to remove it. Not only does it obscure the main screen, but it persistently gets in the way," hit out a second.

Another lamented: "WhatsApp has that stupid Meta AI button on the home screen that you can’t even get rid of. So annoying."

And a final X user pleaded: "Does anyone know how you get rid of that Meta AI button on WhatsApp, it says it’s optional but I can’t make it go away?"

Advert

The chatbot feature has proved to be quite the divisive addition indeed (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)
The chatbot feature has proved to be quite the divisive addition indeed (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

What has WhatsApp said?

WhatsApp's website states that Meta AI through WhatsApp is an 'optional service' - despite the fact it cannot be removed from the app.

"We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users," WhatsApp told the BBC in a statement, adding that it likens the feature to other permanent options in the app like 'channels' and 'status'.

Featured Image Credit: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Topics: Technology, Social Media, Life, Artificial intelligence, iPhone

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Senior Journalist at Tyla, specialising in TV, film, travel, and culture. A graduate of the University of Manchester with a degree in English Literature, she honed her editorial skills as the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the UK’s largest student newspaper. With a keen eye for storytelling, Rhiannon brings fresh perspectives to her writing, blending critical insight with an engaging style. Her work captures the intersection of entertainment and real-world experiences.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
13 hours ago
3 days ago
  • 6 hours ago

    'Silent disease' with no warning signs is becoming increasingly common among men, doctors reveal

    Dr Paul Lewis - an interventional radiologist at Wexner - has spoken about the very real risk to mens' health

    Life
  • 6 hours ago

    Doctors reveal early warning signs of life-threatening illness linked to weight loss jabs

    Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have both issued statements on the matter

    Life
  • 13 hours ago

    Starbucks customer furious over ‘illegal’ message written on her cup

    A customer went to pick up a drink and was shocked to find what was written on her cup

    Life
  • 3 days ago

    Man who received 47-year-old’s face in major transplant reveals why he thought he was in the afterlife

    Joe DiMeo was just 18 when he was in a horrific car crash, which left him in a coma for three months

    Life
  • Viral mukbang video leaves people feeling seriously uncomfortable after they find out 'spooky' truth behind it
  • How to turn off little-known iPhone setting that lets Apple see all your photos
  • Duolingo reveals it's replacing workers with AI in controversial email
  • Apple users left disappointed by one key feature of latest iPhone