Mark Zuckerberg has boldly claimed that Meta’s AI assistant is on track to become the world’s leading artificial intelligence, after attracting nearly 500 million users.
However, some WhatsApp members say the reality doesn’t match the hype.
Since the chatbot’s rollout across Meta’s platforms (Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp) in the US, and more recently in the UK, users have been scrambling to disable the AI.
Others are worried about their data being hoovered up, given Meta’s contentious history of tracking user activity to create targeted adverts (and its privacy failings), while some have encountered app-crashing bugs.
Here’s everything you need to know about Meta AI, including its availability, settings, data-sharing policy and user reaction.
What is Meta AI?
In short, Meta AI is a digital assistant that can be summoned on Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp to answer a range of questions — or just for a chinwag.
You can ask it to find upcoming fixtures in cricket’s Indian Premier League, for instance; get help planning a holiday; or saddle it with writing your work emails.
These chatbots, known as large language models, have absorbed vast amounts of text and data, enabling them to generate natural conversations on various topics. Others include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek.
And because it’s a multi-modal AI, you can also speak to it and get it to whip up images and videos. The experience differs slightly based on the app you are using: on Instagram, you can build your own AI chatbots to share with friends. Meanwhile, you can call upon it in group chats on WhatsApp and Messenger
While not all of these perks are available outside of the US yet, mainly due to regulatory pushback in the UK and EU, Meta has promised to bring the AI up to parity across the globe.
How have users reacted to Meta AI on WhatsApp?
However, whether users actually want the AI is up for debate. Annoyed users have been venting about the chatbot’s arrival since its launch in 2023. Complaints have been surging on social media after its expansion into the EU and beyond.
The biggest gripe? There’s no way to switch it off or remove it.
they added a meta ai button on whatsapp im so done
— tania 𝜗𝜚 is seeing sabrina (@choisansoftie) March 23, 2025
“Whatsapp added meta ai to the app and i can't even remove it, i hate ai, i hate meta, i need to get a flip phone can they all leave us alone WHO asked for this,” wrote an exasperated user on X, formerly Twitter.
“Anyone any success in deleting irritating Meta AI icon in WhatsApp on an iPhone? Suddenly appeared and despite YT videos I can’t remove it,” said another incensed user.
Why is there no way to deactivate it? Why do I have to send WhatsApp search queries to Meta AI and its partners?
— Gari (@garigonz) March 21, 2025
The same sentiment can be found in the responses to WhatsApp’s official announcement of the AI on X.
“How can i disable the Meta AI feature & Remove the Meta AI Button from the Home Screen , its annoying,” asked a user.
“Why is there no way to deactivate it? Why do I have to send WhatsApp search queries to Meta AI and its partners?,” said another.
How can i disable the Meta AI feature & Remove the Meta AI Button from the Home Screen , its annoying
— Niamat khan (@Niamatkhn) March 21, 2025
In the latest twist to the sorry saga, some WhatsApp users in Italy claim the AI update is crashing the app.
Can Meta AI access your messages?
No, Meta AI cannot access your private messages, such as those on WhatsApp or Messenger, to train its AI models.
While Meta uses publicly shared content from Facebook and Instagram to improve its AI (from your profile pic to comments left on public groups), private posts (including messages with friends and family) are excluded.
However, Meta uses your interactions with AI features — such as searching for stickers or chatting with AI characters — to improve its products. For example, if you mention your love for Italian food in an AI chat, that detail can be saved to improve future recommendations.
However, the company says it will only use the data from users aged 18 and over.
How to delete your Meta AI chat history
If that doesn't sit well with you, you can delete or reset your AI chats. For individual chats, type /reset-ai to delete the AI's memory of that conversation.
To clear all chats on an app (Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp), type /reset-all-ais.
On WhatsApp, if you delete a chat, it will be removed from only your app. However, you’ll need to use the reset command to delete it from Meta’s systems.
Additionally, you can download your chat history by typing /download-all-ai-info in an AI chat.
Remember that if you delete a chat or your WhatsApp account, you won’t be able to request or download that information again.
Can you disable Meta AI?
Although Meta doesn’t provide a one-click option to turn off its AI features, users can take control of how their data is used in the following ways:
