WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new privacy feature for its iOS application that aims to enhance the security of user conversations. According to a feature tracker, this new functionality, referred to as Advanced Chat Privacy, introduces multiple updates designed to limit the automatic saving of media shared between users. Additionally, it appears to restrict the exportation of entire chat histories for conversations involving users who have activated the Advanced Chat Privacy feature.
Overview of WhatsApp’s Advanced Chat Privacy for iOS
As indicated by the WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, Meta Platforms is developing the Advanced Chat Privacy capability for iOS, with plans for introduction in a future app version. This feature was identified in the WhatsApp Beta for iOS app, specifically version 25.10.10.70. When enabled by the sender, recipients who receive media files will be unable to save them to their device’s gallery.
The Advanced Chat Privacy setting is deemed optional and can be activated through the app’s settings menu.
According to screenshots shared by the feature tracker, if a recipient attempts to save media under this new feature, a pop-up message will appear stating:
“Advanced chat privacy has been turned on, and prevents media auto-saving to your device’s gallery.”
The feature tracker also alludes to additional functionalities that may be included, such as limitations on chat exports. This would prevent the exportation of chat histories that contain conversations with users who have Advanced Chat Privacy enabled on their devices. Moreover, it may impose restrictions on user interactions with the Meta AI chatbot within WhatsApp.
Notably, a similar feature has also been reported to be under development for the Android version of WhatsApp. However, WABetaInfo emphasizes that the Advanced Chat Privacy feature is still in its developmental stages and is not yet available to beta testers using Apple’s TestFlight program. It is anticipated that the rollout for WhatsApp’s iOS beta users could occur in the upcoming weeks.
