WhatsApp now lets you block people from exporting your entire chat history

WhatsApp is launching an “Advanced Chat Privacy” feature to prevent users from exporting their entire chat history.
The feature will block others from downloading photos and videos sent in the app, as well as using messages for Meta AI.
The setting will be enabled by default in group and individual chats, but can be turned off if needed.
However, screenshots of messages or manual downloads of media are still possible, although WhatsApp plans to add more protections in future updates.
The feature is currently rolling out to the latest version of the app, allowing users to turn on Advanced Chat Privacy by tapping on their chat name and selecting “Advanced Chat Privacy”.

WhatsApp is launching a new “Advanced Chat Privacy” feature that aims to prevent people from taking conversations outside the app. When the setting is turned on, you can block others from exporting your chat history and automatically downloading photos and videos sent in the app.

The feature will prevent people from using messages for Meta AI as well, which you can currently use to ask questions within a chat and generate images.

By default, WhatsApp saves photos and videos in a chat to your phone’s local storage. It also lets you and your recipients export chats (with or without media) to your messages, email, or notes app. The Advanced Chat Privacy setting will prevent this in group and individual chats.

This feature still doesn’t stop people from taking screenshots of your messages or manually downloading media from chats, WhatsApp spokesperson Zade Alsawah confirmed to The Verge. However, WhatsApp says this is its “first version” of the feature, and that it plans to add more protections down the line.

“We think this feature is best used when talking with groups where you may not know everyone closely but are nevertheless sensitive in nature,” WhatsApp says in its announcement. WABetaInfo first spotted this feature earlier this month, and now it’s rolling out to the latest version of the app. You can turn on the setting by tapping the name of your chat and selecting Advanced Chat Privacy.

Update, April 23rd: Added information from WhatsApp.

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Q. What is WhatsApp’s new “Advanced Chat Privacy” feature?

A. The feature aims to prevent people from taking conversations outside the app, specifically blocking others from exporting your chat history and automatically downloading photos and videos sent in the app.

Q. How does the Advanced Chat Privacy setting work?

A. When turned on, it prevents others from using messages for Meta AI, exporting chats (with or without media) to messages, email, or notes apps, and saves photos and videos locally on your phone’s storage.

Q. Can people still take screenshots of my messages with this feature enabled?

A. No, the Advanced Chat Privacy setting does not prevent taking screenshots of your messages, but it prevents exporting chats and downloading media from chats.

Q. Is this feature available for all WhatsApp users?

A. The feature is rolling out to the latest version of the app, but its availability may vary depending on the user’s location and device.

Q. How do I turn on the Advanced Chat Privacy setting in WhatsApp?

A. To turn on the setting, tap the name of your chat and select “Advanced Chat Privacy”.

Q. What is Meta AI, and how does it relate to this feature?

A. Meta AI is a service that allows users to ask questions within a chat and generate images. The Advanced Chat Privacy setting prevents using messages for Meta AI.

Q. Can I still export my chats with media when the Advanced Chat Privacy setting is enabled?

A. No, the feature prevents exporting chats (with or without media) to messages, email, or notes apps.

Q. Is this a permanent solution to prevent chat history exports?

A. No, WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed that this is the “first version” of the feature and plans to add more protections in future updates.

Q. Can I use the Advanced Chat Privacy setting for personal conversations as well?

A. The feature seems to be designed primarily for group chats where you may not know everyone closely but are sensitive in nature.