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DeeperML
@cyberinsider.com
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WhatsApp has unveiled 'Private Processing', a new AI infrastructure designed to enable AI features while maintaining user privacy. This technology allows users to utilize advanced AI capabilities, such as message summarization and composition tools, by offloading tasks to privacy-preserving cloud servers. The system is designed to ensure that neither Meta nor WhatsApp can access the content of end-to-end encrypted chats during AI processing. This move comes as messaging platforms seek to integrate AI capabilities without compromising secure communications, addressing user concerns about the privacy implications of AI integration within the popular messaging app.
While WhatsApp already incorporates a light blue circle that gives users access to the Meta AI assistant, interactions with the AI assistant are not shielded from Meta the way end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp chats are. The new feature, dubbed Private Processing, is meant to address these concerns with what the company says is a carefully architected and purpose-built platform devoted to processing data for AI tasks without the information being accessible to Meta, WhatsApp, or any other party. This is achieved by processing messages in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), ensuring that the data remains confidential and secure. It also designed to allow cloud access without letting Meta or anyone else see end-to-end encrypted chats.
The 'Private Processing' feature will be optional, giving users complete control over how and when they choose to utilize it. Meta security engineering director Chris Rohlf states that this wasn't just about managing the expansion of that threat model and making sure the expectations for privacy and security were met—it was about careful consideration of the user experience and making this opt-in. Although initial reviews by researchers of the scheme’s integrity have been positive, some note that the move toward AI features could ultimately put WhatsApp on a slippery slope. It is not immediately available to WhatsApp users but will gradually be rolled out in the upcoming weeks.
References :
While WhatsApp already incorporates a light blue circle that gives users access to the Meta AI assistant, interactions with the AI assistant are not shielded from Meta the way end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp chats are. The new feature, dubbed Private Processing, is meant to address these concerns with what the company says is a carefully architected and purpose-built platform devoted to processing data for AI tasks without the information being accessible to Meta, WhatsApp, or any other party. This is achieved by processing messages in Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs), ensuring that the data remains confidential and secure. It also designed to allow cloud access without letting Meta or anyone else see end-to-end encrypted chats.
The 'Private Processing' feature will be optional, giving users complete control over how and when they choose to utilize it. Meta security engineering director Chris Rohlf states that this wasn't just about managing the expansion of that threat model and making sure the expectations for privacy and security were met—it was about careful consideration of the user experience and making this opt-in. Although initial reviews by researchers of the scheme’s integrity have been positive, some note that the move toward AI features could ultimately put WhatsApp on a slippery slope. It is not immediately available to WhatsApp users but will gradually be rolled out in the upcoming weeks.
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References :
- cyberinsider.com: WhatsApp Unveils ‘Private Processing’ AI System That Offloads Message Data
- Security Risk Advisors: Meta unveils "Private Processing" architecture for WhatsApp AI features that processes messages in Trusted Execution Environments while preserving end-to-end encryption. #PrivacyByDesign #SecureAI
- WIRED: WhatsApp's AI tools will use a new “Private Processing†system designed to allow cloud access without letting Meta or anyone else see end-to-end encrypted chats. But experts still see risks.
- BleepingComputer: WhatsApp has announced the introduction of 'Private Processing,' a new technology that enables users to utilize advanced AI features by offloading tasks to privacy-preserving cloud servers.
- bsky.app: WhatsApp Launches Private Processing to Enable AI Features While Protecting Message Privacy
- The Hacker News: WhatsApp Launches Private Processing to Enable AI Features While Protecting Message Privacy
- www.scworld.com: Novel WhatsApp feature adds AI while maintaining data privacy