WhatsApp rolls out AI-generated ‘message summaries’ for unread chats

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Message Summaries, which uses Meta’s artificial intelligence to generate concise overviews of unread messages in a chat. The feature is designed to help users quickly understand conversations they’ve missed, without reading every individual message.

According to WhatsApp, the tool is useful in situations where users return to the app after a period of inactivity— such as post-flight or between meetings—and need a quick update on their chats.

The summaries are generated using Meta’s Private Processing technology, which the company says ensures that neither Meta nor WhatsApp can access the content of the messages or the summaries. The process is private and visible only to the user who enables it.

The feature is not enabled by default and must be turned on manually. WhatsApp has not announced a timeline for a full global rollout.

The launch comes amid ongoing discussions around data privacy and encryption. WhatsApp has faced scrutiny over its handling of user data, including a recent decision by the U.S. House to ban the app from staff devices due to security concerns.