WhatsApp Meta AI Chatbot Sparks Privacy Concerns After Number Disclosure Incident

What Happened

A user of WhatsApp discovered that the platform\’s new Meta AI-powered chatbot inadvertently shared their personal phone number with another individual, as reported by The Guardian. The incident has raised privacy concerns, especially as WhatsApp begins integrating AI features more deeply into its messaging services. According to reports, the chatbot revealed the number during a conversation, potentially due to a flaw in how AI processes and responds to requests. Meta, WhatsApp\’s parent company, acknowledged the issue and stated they are investigating. Privacy advocates warn that such errors could become more frequent as automation increases in mainstream consumer apps.

Why It Matters

This privacy lapse highlights the potential risks of deploying AI chatbots at scale in messaging apps used by billions globally. It raises urgent questions about data security, user trust, and the reliability of generative AI in handling sensitive information. Read more in our AI News Hub