WhatsApp’s New Private Processing Feature Aims to Balance AI and Privacy

WhatsApp unveils a privacy-first system called Private Processing to support AI features without exposing user messages.

WhatsApp launches ‘Private Processing’ AI feature

Popular messaging service WhatsApp is taking a leap into the artificial intelligence sector. The Meta-owned platform announced the rollout of a new privacy feature called “Private Processing.”

The feature, expected in the coming weeks, is designed to support optional AI features such as writing assistance or message summaries while keeping personal messages private.

“Private Processing will allow users to leverage powerful AI features, while preserving WhatsApp’s core privacy promise, ensuring no one except you and the people you’re talking to can access or share your personal messages, not even Meta or WhatsApp.” – Meta announcement

Based on a ‘Confidential Virtual Machine’

The new feature will revolve around an isolated computing environment dubbed “Confidential Virtual Machine” or CVM. This system ensures that data processing happens securely, without Meta, WhatsApp, or any other third party accessing it.

CVM operates on several security principles, including:

• Confidential processing – messages are handled in a manner that shields content from prying eyes
• Enforceable guarantees – the system will either fail or trigger public alerts if anyone tampers with the implemented privacy protections
• Verifiable transparency – allows users and independent researchers to audit system behavior and hold it accountable
• Non-targetability – prevents third parties (including threat actors or even WhatsApp) from targeting individual users without compromising the integrity of the entire system
• the Stateless processing and forward security – ensures processed data isn’t stored, thwarting threat actors’ attempts to recover previous requests

Anticipating potential threats

Meta has acknowledged risks, including insider threats, supply chain attacks, and malicious clients. To address these, WhatsApp is taking a defense-in-depth approach by layering protections to limit exposure and minimize the attack surface.

In a move toward transparency, Meta also vowed to publish third-party logs of CVM binary digests and images, allowing external researchers to examine the system for possible leaks or vulnerabilities.

Private Processing will remain optional and off by default, allowing users to opt in to AI features as they see fit, without compromising the privacy guarantees that define the platform.

Broader privacy agenda

The launch of Private Processing comes on the heels of another major WhatsApp privacy update: the Advanced Chat Privacy feature.

Advanced Chat Privacy, now rolling out globally, aims to help users prevent others from exporting chat content or automatically download shared media, particularly in sensitive group conversations.

“When the setting is on, you can block others from exporting chats, auto-downloading media to their phone, and using messages for AI features,” WhatsApp explained in its announcement.