Meta is introducing a feature called Incognito Chat to Meta AI and WhatsApp to provide users with privacy for sensitive conversations. Announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, this feature offers a completely private way to interact with Meta’s AI assistant. It’s the first major AI product that doesn’t store conversation logs on servers. It resembles end-to-end encryption, ensuring that no one, including Meta or WhatsApp, can read the chats.
However, the feature raises safety concerns, as disappearing chats may prevent platforms from identifying when users need urgent help. Despite this, Meta claims to have safeguards against harmful prompts and will temporarily block users who frequently submit them. Meta is facing scrutiny for not addressing safety issues with fully private chats. It has introduced a feature to allow parents to monitor teen users’ AI discussions. Incognito Chat is intended for users 18 and older, with age verification checks in place.
Sarah Gardner from Heat Initiative expressed concerns about children’s safety due to Meta’s previous AI chatbot issues. She called for Meta to be more transparent about age verification.