WhatsApp Testing New Android Privacy Feature to Control Media Sharing and Chat Exports

WhatsApp is gearing up to roll out a powerful new privacy tool for Android users, enhancing control over shared media and chat content. This upcoming feature, called Advanced Chat Privacy , aims to give users more authority over how their messages and media are handled after sending.

More Power to the Sender
The Advanced Chat Privacy feature, currently in development, was recently spotted in the Android beta version 2.25.10.4 of WhatsApp. Once activated from the app's settings, it allows users to prevent their shared images and videos from being automatically saved to the recipient’s gallery.

• If the recipient attempts to save the media, a message will pop up, stating:
• "Advanced chat privacy has been turned on, and prevents media auto-saving to your device's gallery."

Beyond Media – Locking Down Chats Too
The privacy controls might not stop at media sharing. WhatsApp is also reportedly testing restrictions that could block the export of entire chat histories, especially when one or more participants have enabled this privacy mode.

Another expected addition is limiting interaction with Meta’s AI chatbot within private conversations protected by this setting.

A Privacy Boost for Regular Chats
Currently, similar protections exist only for disappearing messages. However, Advanced Chat Privacy aims to bring this level of control to standard conversations, offering more flexibility for users who value privacy but don’t want messages to vanish automatically.

Still in the Works
This feature is still under development and not yet available even to beta users. As with many experimental tools, there’s no guarantee it will make it to the final release — but if it does, it could redefine how users manage their privacy on WhatsApp.

Stay tuned for updates as Meta continues to strengthen its messaging platform's privacy features.