Meta AI: what you can turn off
Last checked: 23 Oct 2026
Meta AI is the chatbot built into WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger. Meta's help pages describe ways to keep it out of particular chats and delete what it has, but none of the pages we read describes a setting that removes it from the apps altogether.
What Meta says it can and can't see
- WhatsApp: Meta AI is "an optional service". WhatsApp says Meta can only read messages that mention @Meta AI or that people choose to share with it; your other personal messages stay end-to-end encrypted (only the people in the chat can read them).
- Groups: other people in a group can mention @Meta AI or choose to share messages with it, and Meta can read those messages. If someone adds Meta AI to a group as a member, WhatsApp says Meta can read new messages in that group.
- Training: Meta says it uses your chats with its AI, and public posts and comments, to develop its AI. It says it doesn't use private messages with friends and family unless someone in the chat shares them with the AI.
- Facebook and Instagram: Meta AI is in search and chats. The help pages explain how to use it and how to object (below), but don't describe a way to switch it off.
- Delete Meta AI's copy of a chatDeletes Meta's copy
Your chat with Meta AI → Type /reset-ai → SendDeletes Meta's copy of your messages in that chat. Meta says deleting the chat in WhatsApp only deletes it on WhatsApp, so use this command to delete Meta's copy.
/reset-all-ais does the same for every individual and group chat you've had with Meta AI on that app. You can then delete the chat from your view as normal.
- Remove Meta AI from a group
The group → Group name → Meta AI (in the members list) → Remove from group → OKOnly group admins can do this. While Meta AI is in a group, WhatsApp says Meta can read new messages sent in that group.
This is the Android path from WhatsApp's help page.
- Restricted chat (replacing Advanced chat privacy)Blocks Meta AI in that chat
The chat → ⋮ → View contact → Restricted chat → OnNobody in the chat can use Meta AI features in it. It also stops people exporting the chat, auto-saving its photos and videos, or using linked devices in it.
In a group: the chat → Restricted chat (admins only). In a one-to-one chat either person can turn it on. It only works on the latest version of WhatsApp, and only from your main phone. Chats that already have Advanced chat privacy don't switch over by themselves: the chat → Advanced chat privacy → Upgrade → Continue.
Messenger, Instagram and Facebook
- Message sharing permissions
The chat → Chat name at the top → Message permissions (below Privacy and support) → Allow message sharing → OffNobody in the chat can use AI features that share its messages with Meta AI, such as summaries or asking Meta AI to edit someone else's photo. Auto-saving photos is turned off too.
In a one-to-one chat either person can change it; in a group only admins can. Meta says people can still forward messages to Meta AI or report them to Meta. Not available in Marketplace or community chats.
- Delete Meta AI's copy of a chat
Your chat with Meta AI → Type /reset-ai → SendWorks on Messenger and Instagram as well as WhatsApp. /reset-all-ais resets every Meta AI chat on that app.
Message sharing permissions are described on Messenger's help pages. Meta doesn't describe the same setting for Instagram chats on the pages we read.
The Meta AI app
- Meta AI app: delete all chats
Meta AI app → Menu → Settings → Data & privacy → Manage your informationFrom here you can download your information or delete all chats and media.
Objecting to your information being used for Meta's AI
In the UK and the EU, Meta says it relies on "legitimate interests" (its own interests, which it has to weigh against yours, rather than your consent) to use people's information to build its AI. When an organisation relies on legitimate interests, UK data protection law lets you object (see the right to object), though the organisation can refuse if it has strong enough reasons to carry on. Meta's Privacy Centre page on generative AI explains what an objection covers and links to the forms.
- What it covers: your chats with Meta AI and other AI features, and the public information you've shared on Meta's apps (such as public posts and comments).
- Facebook, Instagram or Meta account: there's a form for each. Meta says the objection applies to the account you're signed in to and any accounts linked to it in the same Accounts Centre.
- WhatsApp: there's a separate objection for your messages with AIs on WhatsApp.
- Not a user: anyone can ask about personal information that Meta got from other sources (for example, if someone else posted it).
- What happens: Meta says it emails to confirm it won't use that information for future AI development. A training run that has already started may still use it.
- Where you live: Meta says you may need to be signed in to see the right forms for your region. We read the UK version; we couldn't check whether US accounts see the same forms.
For training settings in ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Claude, Grok and LinkedIn, see AI chatbots: training, memory and chat history.
For Facebook and Instagram ad settings, see Meta ad settings.
Sources
- Meta Privacy Centre: How Meta uses information for generative AI models
- Meta Privacy Centre: How to change or delete your information from chats with AIs from Meta
- WhatsApp: About Meta AI
- WhatsApp: How to delete your chats with Meta AI
- WhatsApp: How to add or remove Meta AI as a group member
- WhatsApp: About restricted chat
- Messenger: Manage message sharing permissions for a chat
- Messenger: About sharing with Meta AI
- Facebook: Ask Meta AI on Facebook
- Facebook: Chat with Meta AI on Facebook
- Instagram: Use Meta AI on Instagram
- Meta: Manage your information on Meta AI and Vibes
This page describes your options and how organisations say they handle requests. It isn't legal advice. See About & sourcing, or report a correction.