WhatsApp defends decision to quietly add controversial new feature that you can’t turn off

WhatsApp has defended its decision to quietly add a controversial new feature that you can’t actually turn off.

As we progress further and further into the age of technological advancement, it's clear all our favourite social media platforms are desperately trying to keep up with all the changing new trends - one of which is none other than the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI).

And WhatsApp, which is dubbed 'the most popular messaging app' with reportedly nearly three billion users, is one of the many apps on our phones which has now incorporated AI into its software - something which some people are clearly far from chuffed about.

What is WhatsApp's latest feature and why is it SO controversial? (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

So, what does the feature do?

Well, you can; have conversations with Meta AI, chat with Meta AI in existing group chats as well as ask questions and get helpful recommendations.

The official website also notes that users will be able to talk about shared interests, interact with their content, create AI-generated images in chats and forward messages to Meta AI to ask questions or learn more.

The logo, which is ever-present, is a blue circle with pink and green accents which can be found in the bottom right of your Chats screen.

WhatsApp users can 'have conversations' with the new Meta AI feature (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

Can everyone use the feature?

In short, no.

Not everyone will be able to use Meta AI as, according to its official website, WhatsApp outlines that it is 'only available in limited countries and might not be available to you yet, even if other users in your country have access'.

At this time, only English, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese are supported.

Some WhatsApp users have hit out over the 'annoying' feature which they can't 'remove' (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

What are people saying about the feature?

The new update doesn't seem to have gone down well with a fair few WhatsApp users, with many rushing to X to share their gripes.

One critic slammed: "I really don’t see why Meta thinks we need an AI in WhatsApp. It’s like forcing a feature into the users."

"Might be late to the party, but just found out @WhatsApp has effectively forced the Meta AI assistant onto me with no easy way to remove it. Not only does it obscure the main screen, but it persistently gets in the way," hit out a second.

Another lamented: "WhatsApp has that stupid Meta AI button on the home screen that you can’t even get rid of. So annoying."

And a final X user pleaded: "Does anyone know how you get rid of that Meta AI button on WhatsApp, it says it’s optional but I can’t make it go away?"

The chatbot feature has proved to be quite the divisive addition indeed (NurPhoto / Contributor / Getty Images)

What has WhatsApp said?

WhatsApp's website states that Meta AI through WhatsApp is an 'optional service' - despite the fact it cannot be removed from the app.

"We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users," WhatsApp told the BBC in a statement, adding that it likens the feature to other permanent options in the app like 'channels' and 'status'.