'Change your phone language to Irish' – angry WhatsApp users try...
Meta AI, the digital assistant that can be summoned on Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is making waves as it is projected to become the world's premier artificial intelligence, as affirmed by Mark Zuckerberg.
However, its recent introduction in Ireland as part of its European expansion has triggered frustration among some WhatsApp users due to their inability to disable or uninstall it. Angry users took to a Reddit thread to express their grievances about the unwanted AI guest, with many sharing their unsuccessful attempts to deactivate it.
One exasperated user expressed, "All I want to know is how to remove it," a sentiment that garnered over 1,000 upvotes swiftly. Another user stated, "I tried that and can't. I wish there was an equivalent app I could keep contacts on."
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
Some users are actively addressing the problem with Meta by inundating customer support with messages in the hopes of a solution, urging others to contact the company to voice their disapproval. Disappointed with the lack of response, one user mentioned, "I keep asking for a way to disable it and I don’t even get a response – my ticket is just closed."
One innovative suggestion proposed by a commenter was to "Change your phone language to Irish," with the added insight that "apparently the AI doesn’t work in Gaeilge."
Features and Concerns
Meta AI serves as a digital assistant on various platforms like Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, offering answers to queries or engaging in casual conversations. These chatbots, known as large language models, leverage extensive text and data to facilitate natural dialogues on diverse subjects.
Other examples of such AI include ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and China's DeepSeek. The multi-modal nature of Meta AI allows users to interact via text as well as generate images and videos, albeit with varying functions across Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Notably, the reception of Meta AI among users remains a topic of contention. Complaints about the chatbot started surfacing upon its launch in 2023 and intensified following its expansion into the EU and other regions. Concerns extend beyond the functionality of the assistant, with many apprehensive about their data being utilized to enhance the technology, particularly in light of Meta's history with privacy issues and targeted advertising.
While Meta contends that its AI does not access private messages on platforms like WhatsApp or Messenger for training purposes, user interactions with AI components contribute to product enhancement. Amidst the criticisms, reports of technical glitches and crashes following the rollout have further added to user frustrations.
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