WhatsApp has launched a new feature called Message Summaries, which uses artificial intelligence to generate brief overviews of unread messages in chats. The update was announced on the company’s official blog. This feature aims to save users time by allowing them to quickly grasp the essence of conversations without reading every individual message.

How does Message Summaries work?

The Message Summaries feature analyzes unread messages in selected chats and creates concise summaries of their content. For example, if dozens of messages about weekend plans have piled up in a group chat, the AI will highlight key points such as the time, meeting place, or main topics of discussion. This is particularly convenient for users active in group chats or those who have missed long message threads.

The tool is powered by Meta AI (Meta is designated as an extremist organization and banned in Russia), using Private Processing technology. This ensures local data processing directly on the user’s device, without transmitting messages to Meta, WhatsApp, or any third parties. The chat content and summaries remain inaccessible to other participants, preserving user privacy.

Configuration and Control

By default, Message Summaries is turned off, allowing users to control AI usage themselves. You can enable it in Advanced Chat Privacy settings in WhatsApp. There, you can also choose which chats (personal or group) the AI summaries will apply to. This flexibility allows users to tailor the feature to their needs — for instance, enabling it only for work chats or family groups.

Availability and Limitations

As of the launch date, June 26, 2025, the feature is available only to English-speaking users in the United States. WhatsApp plans to expand regional availability and add support for other languages within the year, but no specific timeline has been provided. In Russia, access to Message Summaries is likely to be restricted, as the Meta AI platform powering the feature does not operate there due to legal constraints.

Context and Outlook

The rollout of AI-powered features in messaging apps is part of a broader global trend toward integrating artificial intelligence into everyday tools. Previously, WhatsApp tested an AI bot for answering questions and generating images, as well as automatic message translation features. Message Summaries continues in this direction by simplifying the handling of large message volumes. Similar features are already emerging on other platforms — for example, Apple introduced AI-powered message summaries for iMessage in iOS 18, and Telegram is testing comparable tools in its Premium version.

However, in Russia, access to such functions may be hindered not only by Meta AI restrictions but also by requirements for local data processing under personal data protection laws. Users on forums like 4PDA have already shown interest in the feature but noted that a VPN or alternative messaging apps with similar capabilities might be needed for functionality in the region.

How to protect privacy when using AI features?

Although Meta emphasizes that Message Summaries operates locally and does not transmit data, users can take extra steps to protect their privacy:

  • Limit access: Enable the feature only for chats where it is truly necessary, using the Advanced Chat Privacy
  • Check for updates: Regularly update WhatsApp to the latest version to patch potential vulnerabilities.
  • Disable geolocation: As recommended by Roskachestvo, disabling location sharing in messengers reduces the risk of unwanted data collection.
  • Use a VPN: For users in Russia where Meta AI is unavailable, a VPN may help bypass restrictions, though it may involve legal risks.

Conclusion

The new Message Summaries feature in WhatsApp is a step toward more convenient and efficient chat interactions, especially for those overwhelmed by high message volumes. Local data processing ensures a strong level of privacy, but limited availability and language support currently make the feature niche. For Russian users, its rollout is unlikely due to Meta AI restrictions, yet similar technologies may inspire other messengers to develop equivalent solutions. If you use WhatsApp actively, keep an eye on updates and privacy settings to make the most of new features without compromising security.