Meta-owned WhatsApp has launched a new ‘incognito’ mode for its AI chatbot, enabling users to engage in private conversations that don’t appear in their main chat history. The feature, available globally on both iOS and Android, adds a layer of privacy for users interacting with WhatsApp’s AI assistant.

How the ‘incognito’ mode works

The ‘incognito’ mode allows users to start fresh chats with WhatsApp’s AI that remain hidden from the inbox and message archive. These conversations are not stored in the usual chat list, reducing clutter for users who frequently interact with the AI assistant. Users can still access these chats through a dedicated ‘Incognito’ folder in the app.

WhatsApp confirmed the rollout in a blog post, stating the feature was designed to give users more control over their privacy while using AI tools. The company did not specify whether these chats are end-to-end encrypted like regular messages, but emphasized that the mode prevents them from appearing in the main chat interface.

Privacy concerns and accountability

Cybersecurity experts have raised questions about the implications of hiding AI chatbot conversations. Privacy advocate and cybersecurity researcher Bruce Schneier noted that while the feature enhances user privacy, it could also reduce accountability if AI responses lead to issues such as misinformation or harmful advice.

“If AI chats are deleted by default, there’s no record of what was said,” Schneier said. “That could be a problem if the AI provides incorrect or harmful information.” WhatsApp has not addressed whether users can export or retain copies of ‘incognito’ chats for accountability purposes.

User experience and adoption

Early reactions from beta testers suggest the feature is well-received among privacy-conscious users. Many have praised the ability to keep AI interactions separate from personal chats, especially for sensitive queries. However, some users have expressed confusion over how to locate or manage these hidden conversations.

WhatsApp’s AI chatbot, introduced in 2024, has become a core part of the app’s functionality, offering features like language translation, trip planning, and general assistance. The ‘incognito’ mode is the latest in a series of updates aimed at refining the AI experience while addressing user concerns about data privacy.

Broader implications for AI on messaging platforms

The introduction of ‘incognito’ mode reflects a growing trend among messaging platforms to integrate AI while balancing privacy expectations. Competitors like Telegram and Signal have also introduced AI features, though neither currently offers a similar hidden chat option. Industry analysts suggest this move could pressure other platforms to prioritize user privacy in AI interactions.

WhatsApp’s update comes amid increasing scrutiny over how AI tools handle user data. Earlier this year, the company faced criticism for its data-sharing practices with third-party AI models. The ‘incognito’ mode may help alleviate some concerns by giving users more control over their AI interactions.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC News
  • Published: May 13, 2026 at 14:00 UTC
  • Category: Business
  • Topics: #bbc · #business · #economy · #whats · #whatsapp-ai-chatbot-incognito-mode · #whatsapp-private-ai-chats

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 13, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

O Brasil, que já é um dos maiores mercados de aplicativos de mensagens do mundo, acaba de ganhar um novo recurso no WhatsApp que promete mexer com a privacidade dos seus mais de 150 milhões de usuários: a opção de ativar um modo “incógnito” para bate-papos com chatbots de IA, mantendo essas conversas longe do histórico tradicional de mensagens.

A novidade, ainda em fase de testes em alguns países, permite que os usuários interajam com assistentes virtuais sem que as interações sejam salvas automaticamente no aplicativo, algo especialmente relevante em um país onde a preocupação com a segurança de dados cresce a cada vazamento ou uso indevido de informações pessoais. Para o Brasil, onde a cultura de compartilhamento de dados é intensa — mas também onde a desconfiança em relação à privacidade digital é cada vez maior —, essa função pode ser um divisor de águas, principalmente em setores como atendimento ao cliente, consultas rápidas ou até mesmo interações com serviços públicos via IA.

Com a promessa de mais controle sobre o que fica ou não registrado, a funcionalidade ainda precisa ser avaliada em larga escala, mas já acende um alerta sobre como as empresas de tecnologia estão se adaptando às demandas de uma sociedade cada vez mais exigente por transparência e segurança.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

WhatsApp da un paso más hacia la privacidad con la llegada de un modo ‘incógnito’ para sus chats con el asistente de IA.

La nueva función permite mantener conversaciones con el chatbot de Meta sin que queden registradas en el historial de mensajes, una medida que refuerza la confidencialidad pero también plantea dudas sobre el uso de datos y la transparencia. Para los usuarios hispanohablantes, esta opción podría ser especialmente atractiva en un contexto donde la protección de la intimidad digital gana peso, aunque también exige mayor responsabilidad al interactuar con herramientas de inteligencia artificial que podrían recopilar información de forma menos visible.