Meta-owned WhatsApp has launched a new privacy feature called Advanced Chat Privacy, designed to enhance the security of users’ most sensitive conversations. This update, which is rolling out globally, aims to prevent others from exporting chats, using messages for AI features, or automatically downloading media, further building on the platform’s existing end-to-end encryption.

According to WhatsApp, this new setting helps prevent the content from being taken outside of the app, offering extra privacy for users. Once activated in a specific chat or group, Advanced Chat Privacy blocks participants from exporting messages, automatically saving media to their devices, or using those messages with external AI tools. The feature is especially useful for groups with participants who may not know each other personally, like health support forums or community organizing groups, where conversations might be sensitive but not all members are closely acquainted.

While WhatsApp already offers features like disappearing messages and chat locks, this new setting is aimed at providing more control in semi-public or issue-based groups, ensuring that private conversations remain secure. Users can enable the feature by tapping the chat name and selecting Advanced Chat Privacy. Once activated, the restrictions apply to all participants in the conversation.

This marks just the first phase of the Advanced Chat Privacy feature, with WhatsApp confirming plans to expand and enhance these protections in future updates. The feature is now being rolled out to users with the latest version of the app.