WhatsApp, the Meta-owned instant messenger app, is not holding back from gathering as much data as possible for its users. This time around, WhatsApp is working on enabling Meta AI to remember critical details shared by users, allowing for more personalised interactions. Of course, the development will help the app become more user-friendly and handy to use. However, the retention of text does lead to some concerns about the data privacy of users.
Following the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp earlier this year, the platform has continued to refine its functionality to create a more user-friendly environment. The latest development focuses on enabling Meta AI to remember critical details shared by users, allowing for more personalised interactions.
How Will WhatsApp's Chat Memory Feature Work?
According to reports from noted WhatsApp features tracker WABetaInfo, the upcoming chat memory feature will allow Meta AI to retain information about users' preferences and interests, enhancing the quality of responses it provides.
For example, if a user identifies as vegan, the assistant will prioritise sharing relevant recipes. This capability aims to create a more tailored experience by remembering specifics such as dietary restrictions, birthdays, and individual conversational preferences.
The feature is expected to significantly improve how Meta AI interacts with users by offering advice and recommendations that align with their lifestyles. For instance, when a user seeks meal suggestions, the assistant will avoid recommending dishes the user has indicated they dislike or are allergic to. This level of customisation is designed to facilitate more natural and engaging conversations, effectively positioning Meta AI as a personal assistant.
Users To Have Full Control?
As per WABetaInfo, users will have full control over what Meta AI remembers, with options to update or delete information as needed. This approach aims to mitigate concerns surrounding privacy and data management.
Previous attempts at similar memory features by other tech companies, such as Microsoft's Recall and Google's Pixel screenshots, faced criticism for intruding on personal space. However, WhatsApp's implementation of this feature appears to prioritise user autonomy, allowing individuals to choose which details to retain. Although specifics are still under development, the expectation is that users will be able to manage their information when the feature launches.