Latest news with #KrisShrishak
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Express Tribune
New meta's AI chatbot on whatsapp sparks privacy fears
Listen to article WhatsApp's newly launched AI feature has sparked frustration among users after it emerged the tool cannot be removed from the app, despite the company describing it as 'entirely optional.' The Meta AI chatbot, represented by a multi-coloured blue icon on the Chats screen, provides users with AI-driven responses to queries. However, its permanent presence in the interface has drawn comparisons to other controversial tech rollouts, such as Microsoft's now-revised Recall feature. A WhatsApp spokesperson told that the company sees the tool as similar to non-removable options like 'channels' or 'status,' and added: 'We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users.' The backlash echoes wider concerns about user control and digital privacy as tech firms integrate AI deeper into everyday services. The introduction of WhatsApp's AI assistant coincides with Meta's announcement of a separate update aimed at teen users on Instagram. The company disclosed it is piloting an artificial intelligence system in the United States that can identify accounts created by minors who may have provided false age information. As for WhatsApp's AI assistant, not all users will see the new blue circle icon yet. Meta confirmed the tool is being gradually introduced across select regions and may not appear immediately, even within countries where it is available to others. The blue circle, which appears in the corner of the chats screen, is accompanied by a search bar prompting users to 'Ask Meta AI or Search.' The same feature is being integrated into Facebook Messenger and Instagram, both of which are also owned by Meta. This chatbot is driven by Meta's own large language model, Llama 4. Before interaction, users are presented with a detailed introduction explaining the tool's purpose and noting that its use is 'optional.' According to Meta's website, the AI can provide answers to questions, offer educational insights, or assist with creative thinking. In testing, the chatbot returned accurate weather details for Glasgow within seconds, including temperature, rainfall probability, wind and humidity. However, one suggested link mistakenly referenced Charing Cross station in London rather than the Glasgow location. Public reaction, particularly in Europe, has been mixed. Users on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky and Reddit have voiced frustration over the feature's permanence. Among them, columnist Polly Hudson criticised the inability to disable the assistant. AI and privacy expert Dr Kris Shrishak offered sharper criticism, alleging Meta is leveraging its vast user base to test AI products and gather data. He argued that Meta's AI development process involved 'privacy violations by design' through the use of scraped online content, including pirated books. A report by The Atlantic suggested Meta may have accessed millions of pirated texts via Library Genesis (LibGen) to train Llama. Author groups globally are now campaigning for government intervention, while Meta faces legal action from writers over the use of their intellectual property. Asked about the Atlantic findings, a Meta spokesperson declined to comment. While Meta has stated that the chatbot only accesses messages users send directly to it—and that all personal chats remain end-to-end encrypted—concerns remain. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office said it is monitoring how Meta AI processes personal data on WhatsApp, especially involving minors. 'AI development depends heavily on personal data,' the agency said. 'Organisations must ensure they meet legal obligations, particularly where children are concerned.' Dr Kris Shrishak has urged users to exercise caution when interacting with Meta AI. He explained that while end-to-end encryption protects messages exchanged between friends, communication with the chatbot operates differently. 'When you're chatting with a friend, encryption keeps Meta out,' Shrishak said. 'But when you use Meta AI, one side of the conversation is Meta itself.' Meta has also warned users to think carefully about what they share with the AI assistant. In guidance published on its site, the company advises against submitting any personal or sensitive details users would not want stored or referenced. 'Only share information you're comfortable with being retained and potentially used,' the company said.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- BBC News
WhatsApp defends 'optional' AI tool that cannot be turned off
WhatsApp says its new AI feature embedded in the messaging service is "entirely optional" - despite the fact it cannot be removed from the Meta AI logo is an ever-present blue circle with pink and green splashes in the bottom right of your Chats with it opens a chatbot designed to answer your questions, but it has drawn attention and frustration from users who cannot turn it off. It follows Microsoft's Recall feature, which was also an always-on tool - before the firm faced a backlash and decided to allow people to disable it."We think giving people these options is a good thing and we're always listening to feedback from our users," WhatsApp told the BBC. It comes the same week Meta announced an update to its teen accounts feature on firm revealed it was testing AI technology in the US designed to find accounts belonging to teenagers who have lied about their age on the platform. Where is the new blue circle? If you can't see it, you may not be able to use it says the feature is only being rolled out to some countries at the moment and advises it "might not be available to you yet, even if other users in your country have access". As well as the blue circle, there is a search bar at the top inviting users to 'Ask Meta AI or Search'. This is also a feature on Facebook Messenger and Instagram, with both platforms owned by AI chatbot is powered by Llama 4, one of the large language models operated by you ask it anything, there is a long message from Meta explaining what Meta AI is - stating it is "optional".On its website, WhatsApp says Meta AI "can answer your questions, teach you something, or help come up with new ideas".I tried out the feature by asking the AI what the weather was like in Glasgow, and it responded in seconds with a detailed report on temperature, the chance of rain, wind and also gave me two links for further information, but this is where it ran into of the links was relevant, but the other tried to give me additional weather details for Charing Cross - not the location in Glasgow, but the railway station in London. What do people think of it? So far in Europe people aren't very pleased, with users on X, Bluesky, and Reddit outlining their frustrations - and Guardian columnist Polly Hudson was among those venting their anger at not being able to turn it Kris Shrishak, an adviser on AI and privacy, was also highly critical, and accused Meta of "exploiting its existing market" and "using people as test subjects for AI"."No one should be forced to use AI," he told the BBC. "Its AI models are a privacy violation by design - Meta, through web scraping, has used personal data of people and pirated books in training them."Now that the legality of their approach has been challenged in courts, Meta is looking for other sources to collect data from people, and this feature could be one such source."An investigation by The Atlantic revealed Meta may have accessed millions of pirated books and research papers through LibGen - Library Genesis - to train its Llama groups across the UK and around the world are organising campaigns to encourage governments to intervene, and Meta is currently defending a court case brought by multiple authors over the use of their work.A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment on The Atlantic investigation. What are the concerns? When you first use Meta AI in WhatsApp, it states the chatbot "can only read messages people share with it"."Meta can't read any other messages in your personal chats, as your personal messages remain end to end encrypted," it the Information Commissioner's Office told the BBC it would "continue to monitor the adoption of Meta AI's technology and use of personal data within WhatsApp"."Personal information fuels much of AI innovation so people need to trust that organisations are using their information responsibly," it said."Organisations who want to use people's personal details to train or use generative AI models need to comply with all their data protection obligations, and take the necessary extra steps when it comes to processing the data of children."And Dr Shrishak says users should be wary. "When you send messages to your friend, end to end encryption will not be affected," he said."Every time you use this feature and communicate with Meta AI, you need to remember that one of the ends is Meta, not your friend."The tech giant also highlights users should only share what they are happy with being used by others."Don't share information, including sensitive topics, about others or yourself that you don't want the AI to retain and use," it says. Additional reporting by Joe Tidy
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool dubbed 'privacy nightmare'
Microsoft has begun the rollout of an AI-powered tool which takes snapshots of users' screens every few seconds. The Copilot+ Recall feature is available in preview mode to some people with Microsoft's AI PCs and laptops. It is the relaunch of a feature which was dubbed a "privacy nightmare" when it was first announced last year. Microsoft paused the rollout in 2024, and after trialling the tech with a small number of users, it has begun expanding access to those signed up to its Windows Insider software testing programme. The BBC has approached Microsoft for comment. Microsoft says Recall will be rolled out worldwide, but those based in the EU will have to wait until later in 2025. Users will opt in to the feature and Microsoft says they can "can pause saving snapshots at any time". The purpose of Recall is to allow PC users to easily search through their past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing history. For example, Microsoft says a person who saw a dress online a few days ago would be able to use the feature to easily locate where they saw it. Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak - who previously called Recall a "privacy nightmare" - said the opt-in mechanism is "an improvement", but felt it could still be misused. "Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said. The feature is able to save images of your emails and messaging apps such as WhatsApp - meaning pictures and messages from others will be saved. This is no different to a user taking a screenshot themselves when they receive a message. "Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he said. And he said he was concerned that malicious actors could exploit the images saved by Recall if they gained login access to a device. Microsoft said Recall "does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties" and information is not shared between different users. "Recall requires you to confirm your identity before it launches and before you can access your snapshots," it said. And it confirmed pictures taken by Recall are stored locally on your computer. Users can choose which apps are used by the feature, and private mode on some browsers will not be snapshotted. Microsoft also says the user can delete screenshots which have been captured. The UK's data watchdog said it has "continued to engage with Microsoft on this matter". The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it had "expectations that user transparency was improved and personal data was not used for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected". "The ICO does not grant prior approval for any products or services. "Organisations are accountable for demonstrating their ongoing compliance with data protection law and we will act should they fail to safeguard people's data protection rights". Microsoft re-launches 'privacy nightmare' AI screenshot tool Microsoft 'recalls' screenshot feature after outcry
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
Copilot Recall: Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool
Microsoft has begun the rollout of an AI-powered tool which takes snapshots of users' screens every few Copilot+ Recall feature is available in preview mode to some people with Microsoft's AI PCs and is the relaunch of a feature which was dubbed a "privacy nightmare" when it was first announced last year. Microsoft paused the rollout in 2024, and after trialling the tech with a small number of users, it has begun expanding access to those signed up to its Windows Insider software testing BBC has approached Microsoft for comment. Microsoft says Recall will be rolled out worldwide, but those based in the EU will have to wait until later in will opt in to the feature and Microsoft says they can "can pause saving snapshots at any time". The purpose of Recall is to allow PC users to easily search through their past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing example, Microsoft says a person who saw a dress online a few days ago would be able to use the feature to easily locate where they saw it. Still a nightmare? Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak - who previously called Recall a "privacy nightmare" - said the opt-in mechanism is "an improvement", but felt it could still be misused. "Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said. The feature is able to save images of your emails and messaging apps such as WhatsApp - meaning pictures and messages from others will be is no different to a user taking a screenshot themselves when they receive a message."Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he he said he was concerned that malicious actors could exploit the images saved by Recall if they gained login access to a said Recall "does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties" and information is not shared between different users."Recall requires you to confirm your identity before it launches and before you can access your snapshots," it it confirmed pictures taken by Recall are stored locally on your can choose which apps are used by the feature, and private mode on some browsers will not be also says the user can delete screenshots which have been UK's data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), was "making enquiries with Microsoft" when the feature was originally announced in May it said it had been informed that a "series of changes" had been made to the product."We will be continuing to assess Recall as Microsoft moves toward launch", it said in a statement in ICO has been approached for comment.
