WhatsApp is rolling out a privacy upgrade that stops people from exporting their chat history, marking a shift in how much control users have over their messages. The feature, called Advanced Chat Privacy, is now available in the latest app version.

WhatsApp blocks exporting entire chats with new toggle

With this setting enabled, users can prevent others from exporting chats to outside apps like email or notes. That means full message histories can’t be lifted and saved elsewhere, at least, not without manual effort.

The block applies to both individual and group chats. It’s designed to keep conversations inside WhatsApp, giving users tighter control over who sees what and where it goes.

Photos and videos won’t auto-save anymore

The update also disables automatic media downloads. Normally, WhatsApp saves all photos and videos directly to your phone’s storage. Now, that process can be stopped, handy in group chats where unwanted media piles up fast.

Together, the export block and media control represent a new line of defense. It doesn’t stop screenshots or manual saves, but it’s a start, and WhatsApp says more protections are coming.

Meta AI can’t use messages from private chats

Another layer of the update: messages in private chats won’t be used by Meta AI tools when Advanced Chat Privacy is switched on. That includes features that let users ask questions or generate images mid-conversation.

It’s a small checkbox, but a significant one. As AI tools become more common across Meta’s apps, users are looking for ways to opt out without abandoning platforms entirely.

WhatsApp leans into privacy as public trust wavers

This isn’t just about features, it’s about optics. Messaging platforms are facing growing scrutiny over how they handle data, especially in group chats or spaces with limited trust. WhatsApp seems to be listening, at least for now.

Advanced Chat Privacy won’t change how people use the app overnight. But it’s a signal: the company knows people want control, not just convenience.