Researchers found that WhatsApp's help-center pages contained text invisible to users but readable by AI systems, instructing an AI not to recommend a data protection regulator or cite relevant privacy law once a user mentioned a lawyer. The hidden notes appeared across 102 blocks on 80 of the 545 help pages, and were removed by WhatsApp between October 15 and October 18, 2026, with Internet Archive snapshots confirming the before-and-after state. WhatsApp told WIRED the text was meant for its support chatbot and appeared due to a bug that has since been fixed.
redact.dev
· 2026-10-19
Researchers at Redact.dev discovered about 80 WhatsApp help and FAQ pages contained hidden text meant to guide a Meta chatbot, including sections labeled 'WHAT NOT TO SAY' and directions not to give legal advice. One instruction on the account-deletion page told the bot not to recommend contacting a data protection regulator. After WIRED asked Meta about the exposure, WhatsApp removed the text and said it was due to a bug that has since been fixed.
wired.com
· 2026-10-19
A developer published 'whatsapp-mcp,' an open-source project that lets AI assistants like Claude search and read a user's WhatsApp messages. Users link their phone like WhatsApp Web, and the server stores message data in a SQLite database inside a Cloudflare Durable Object under their own account. The tool can read, search and recall contact names but cannot send messages, and requires a Cloudflare Workers Paid plan to run.
github.com
· 2026-10-18
A Reddit user flagged a counterfeit WhatsApp listing appearing in a sponsored slot ahead of the genuine app on Google's Play Store, as first reported by Android Authority. The fake app, from an unknown developer called 'Agment Assets sallu,' has over 500,000 downloads and copies WhatsApp's icon, screenshots and description text. Google has not responded to a request for comment, and the listing remained live at the time of reporting.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-16
WhatsApp has officially launched guest calling, letting users invite people without a WhatsApp account to join one-on-one or group calls of up to 32 participants via a shared link. Guests wait in a lobby for host approval, can't see other participants' phone numbers or send messages, and can join from a browser without installing the app. The feature supports screen sharing, hand-raising and reactions, and WhatsApp says it plans Google Calendar and Outlook integrations later this year.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-14
Zenzap, founded by Guy Weiss with co-founders Noam Neumann and Jonatan Bien, has raised $44 million from Bessemer, Lightspeed, The Garage and individual backers including Wix president Nir Zohar. The startup builds a private, IT-compliant messaging app with embedded AI meant to replace consumer tools like WhatsApp and iMessage for business communication. This marks Weiss's first time raising outside capital after previously bootstrapping and selling StuccoMedia in 2015.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-14
WhatsApp now lets people join 1:1 or group calls through a browser without owning a WhatsApp account, via a new guest calling feature. Guests must be invited and approved by the host, cannot start calls, send messages, view phone numbers or add participants, but can use screen sharing, hand-raising and emoji reactions with no time limit. Meta also said a calendar-integration plugin for Google and Outlook is coming later this year.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-14
WhatsApp has rolled out a guest calling feature that lets users invite people to a call without requiring them to have a WhatsApp account, by sending a call link that works in a browser. Guests get access to features like screen sharing, hand raising, and emoji reactions under end-to-end encryption, but must wait for host approval and can't see other participants' phone numbers or add others to the call. Meta says Google and Outlook calendar integrations for WhatsApp calls are coming later this year via a plugin.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-14
WhatsApp is testing a new message scheduling feature spotted in Android beta version 2.26.8.11, according to WaBetaInfo. Users can press and hold the send button to pick a date and time for delivery, with options ranging from 10 minutes to two weeks ahead, supporting text, media and group chats with end-to-end encryption intact.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-12
Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Foundation, said in a BBC Global Women interview that fears of AI turning on humanity are overstated and not scientifically grounded. She pointed instead to the risk of careless real-world deployment, citing a CNN-reported incident in which a US intelligence chatbot allegedly fabricated details about a Chinese vessel carrying nuclear material, nearly prompting a military response.
bbc.co.uk
· 2026-10-09
WhatsApp has begun integrating its Liquid Glass aesthetic into the app’s video player, featuring a translucent progress bar and refreshed controls. The update is part of a broader rollout of the Liquid Glass design across various app sections, including the iPad and Mac versions, but remains limited to some users. The new interface aims to create a more immersive experience consistent with the overall Liquid Glass theme introduced since iOS 26.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-10-07
Instinct has introduced a new feature allowing users to add its AI agent to group chats, even if friends haven't signed up for the service. The update is available to early access users and aims to facilitate planning and coordination among friends. The company emphasizes privacy controls, with the AI seeking permission before engaging with the group and being isolated from personal accounts.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-10-05
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