Signal CEO Comments on WhatsApp’s Recent Artificial Intelligence Upgrades
WhatsApp users are getting new AI features thanks to their parent company Meta. These new tools allow people to create AI stickers, images, and even get answers from AI. But here’s the thing, WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app on the planet and it serves people with its end-to-end encryption standards that claim to keep all content safe. So why does WhatsApp want to offer AI features and does it keep user data safe? The messaging app faces questions from Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal app.
In addition to being the best in privacy, Signal is also the best in not subjecting you to corny “AI” features no one asked for or wants https://t.co/u79rg7AAtu— Meredith Whittaker (@mer__edith) October 1, 2023
His post recently mocked WhatsApp’s need to bring AI features, which he claims, “Nobody asked for or wants.”
He was also quick to emphasize that Signal offers the best privacy and that the messaging app doesn’t target users with any kind of quirky features, citing WhatsApp’s AI tools. Meredith also suggested that all of these integrations are part of Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO’s plans to offer cross-platform features by the end of 2023.
It’s interesting to see how Signal talks about nitpicky features when the messaging app itself has some noteworthy features like stories, which we’re not sure anyone really wants in a secure messaging app. Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2013 for over $15 billion, giving Metal the freedom to do whatever it takes to help the platform grow and generate revenue.
That being said, giving AI to the messaging API opens up a whole new can of worms that could accidentally leak data onto the internet, and there’s no guarantee that won’t happen to any tech giant, let alone Metal. Apps like Signal have guaranteed users privacy and data security on their channels, but now their promises will be reviewed if they ultimately decide to enter the AI arena.
Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, the man who leads ChatGPT in the market, has spoken openly about the dangers of artificial intelligence. Using artificial intelligence over the Internet gives you answers not only to copyright issues, but also to ethics.
