WhatsApp users' fury over Meta AI button: Here's how you can limit it

Mark Zuckerberg has boldly claimed that Meta’s AI assistant is on track to become the world’s leading artificial intelligence, after attracting nearly 500 million users.

However, some WhatsApp members say the reality doesn’t match the hype.

The AI chatbot has now launched in Ireland as part of its expansion across Europe, and local users aren’t exactly giving it a warm welcome.

Here’s everything you need to know about Meta AI, including its availability, settings, data-sharing policy and user reaction.

Angry WhatsApp users have flooded a Reddit thread with rants about the unwanted AI guest, with many describing their unsuccessful bids to turn it off.

“All I want to know is how to remove it,” fumed one fed-up user, in a comment that quickly racked up over 1,000 upvotes. Another replied: “I tried that and can't. I wish there was an equivalent app I could keep contacts on.”

Fed-up users swapped escape plans, with one writing: “I WhatsApped four mates today just to say I’m sick of AI crap being injected into everything… we’ve all jumped ship to Signal already.”

Others are raising the issue with Meta, spamming customer support in the hopes of a fix and urging users to phone the company in protest. “I keep asking for a way to disable it and I don't even get a response—my ticket is just closed,” one user wrote. “The more tickets they get, the more metrics will show it needs to change.”

Some are getting creative: “Change your phone language to Irish,” one commenter suggested, adding “apparently the AI doesn’t work in Gaeilge.”

The backlash reflects a growing unease among users over the sudden arrival of AI features, particularly from a company with Meta’s track record.

Beyond complaints about the assistant itself, many are worried their data is being hoovered up to train the tech – especially given Meta’s chequered history with privacy and targeted ads. Others claim the rollout has brought bugs and crashes, adding to their frustration.

In short, Meta AI is a digital assistant that can be summoned on Facebook Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp to answer a range of questions — or just for a chinwag.

You can ask it to find upcoming fixtures in cricket’s Indian Premier League, for instance; get help planning a holiday; or saddle it with writing your work emails.

These chatbots, known as large language models, have absorbed vast amounts of text and data, enabling them to generate natural conversations on various topics. Others include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek.

And because it’s a multi-modal AI, you can also speak to it and get it to whip up images and videos. Currently, the experience differs slightly based on the app you are using: on Instagram, you can build your own AI chatbots to share with friends. Meanwhile, you can call upon Meta’s AI assistant in group chats on WhatsApp and Messenger

While not all of these perks are available outside of the US yet, mainly due to regulatory pushback in the UK and EU, Meta has promised to bring the AI up to parity across the globe.

However, whether users actually want the AI is up for debate. Annoyed users have been venting about the chatbot’s arrival since its launch in 2023. Complaints have been surging on social media after its expansion into the EU and beyond.

The biggest gripe? There’s no way to switch it off or remove it.

“Whatsapp added Meta AI to the app and I can't even remove it, I hate AI, I hate meta, I need to get a flip phone can they all leave us alone WHO asked for this,” wrote an exasperated user on X, formerly Twitter.

“Anyone any success in deleting irritating Meta AI icon in WhatsApp on an iPhone? Suddenly appeared and despite YT videos I can’t remove it,” said another incensed user.

The same sentiment can be found in the responses to WhatsApp’s official announcement of the AI on X.

“How can I disable the Meta AI feature & Remove the Meta AI Button from the Home Screen , it’s annoying,” asked a user.

“Why is there no way to deactivate it? Why do I have to send WhatsApp search queries to Meta AI and its partners?” said another.

In the latest twist to the sorry saga, some WhatsApp users in Italy claim the AI update is crashing the app.

No, Meta AI cannot access your private messages, such as those on WhatsApp or Messenger, to train its AI models.

While Meta uses publicly shared content from Facebook and Instagram to improve its AI (from your profile pic to comments left on public groups), private posts (including messages with friends and family) are excluded.

However, Meta uses your interactions with AI features — such as searching for stickers or chatting with AI characters — to improve its products. For example, if you mention your love for Italian food in an AI chat, that detail can be saved to improve future recommendations.

However, the company says it will only use the data from users aged 18 and over.

If that doesn't sit well with you, you can delete or reset your AI chats. For individual chats, type /reset-ai to delete the AI's memory of that conversation.

To clear all chats on an app (Messenger, Instagram, or WhatsApp), type /reset-all-ais.

On WhatsApp, if you delete a chat, it will be removed from only your app. However, you’ll need to use the reset command to delete it from Meta’s systems.

Additionally, you can download your chat history by typing /download-all-ai-info in an AI chat.

Remember that if you delete a chat or your WhatsApp account, you won’t be able to request or download that information again.

Although Meta doesn’t provide a one-click option to turn off its AI features, users can take control of how their data is used in the following ways: