Meta-owned WhatsApp is rolling out a new AI-driven feature called “Writing Help”, designed to assist users in rewriting, proofreading, and adjusting the tone of messages directly within the app.
Highlights
- AI-Powered Messaging: Writing Help assists users in rewriting, proofreading, and adjusting the tone of messages directly within WhatsApp.
- Tone Adjustment: Users can make messages professional, humorous, supportive, or casual, with suggested alternatives editable before sending.
- Privacy-Focused: Uses Meta’s Private Processing and Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) to ensure AI suggestions are generated securely and message content remains private.
- Activation & Availability: Accessible via the pencil icon while typing in chats; initially rolled out in English in select countries with global expansion planned.
- User Control: Optional and disabled by default; users can select, edit, or reject AI suggestions at will through Settings > Chats > Private Processing.
- Smart Communication: Combines rewriting, tone adjustment, and proofreading in one feature, providing flexible messaging options without leaving the app.
- Practical Example: A casual reminder like “Please don’t leave dirty socks on the sofa” can be transformed into humorous or friendly alternatives automatically.
The feature leverages Meta’s Private Processing technology, ensuring messages remain private while AI suggestions are generated.
How It Works and Privacy
Writing Help allows users to generate AI suggestions that can,
- Rephrase messages for clarity or style
- Adjust tone to be professional, humorous, supportive, or casual
- Proofread for grammar and readability
For instance, the message “Please don’t leave dirty socks on the sofa” can be transformed into humorous alternatives like,
- “Please don’t make the sofa a sock graveyard.”
- “Breaking news: Socks found chilling on the couch. Please move them.”
- “Hey, sock ninja, the laundry basket is that way!”
Users can choose a suggested version, further edit it, or continue with their original message.
WhatsApp emphasizes that Private Processing ensures neither WhatsApp nor Meta can access the content of your messages or the AI-generated suggestions.
The system uses a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) to process data securely, keeping it encrypted and inaccessible to unauthorized parties. Independent audits have validated this privacy framework.
Access, Availability, and Considerations
- Users can activate Writing Help by tapping the pencil icon that appears while drafting a message in 1:1 or group chats.
- Initially, the feature is available in English and is being gradually rolled out in select countries, including the United States.
- Expansion to additional regions and languages is planned later this year.
The feature is optional and disabled by default, giving users control over activation via Settings > Chats > Private Processing.
While Writing Help can improve messaging, AI-generated suggestions may not suit all users. Some individuals may prefer personal and authentic communication, particularly in casual conversations with friends or family.
- Tap the pencil icon to generate alternative message versions
- Options include tones like professional, humorous, or supportive
- Users can select, edit, or reject AI suggestions based on preference
