Think your chats with Meta AI are private? They aren’t:Meta’s new AI chatbot app is under fire for exposing users’ private chats

Imagine waking up one morning and realizing your private chats, questions, and even confessions with an AI are visible to the entire world. That’s exactly what’s happening with Meta’s new stand-alone AI app. Many users, without realizing it, are sharing personal conversations, audio messages, and images publicly sometimes with sensitive or embarrassing details. The share button confusion When users interact with the Meta AI chatbot, they’re given the option to hit a share button. This opens a preview screen, allowing them to post the exchange. But here’s the catch: a surprising number of people seem unaware that by doing so, they’re publishing their queries and responses for anyone to see. The result? Posts ranging from hilarious to horrifying. One audio clip features a man asking, “Hey, Meta, why do some farts stink more than other farts?” in a thick Southern accent. But the truly alarming content includes people asking how to help someone commit tax fraud, writing character letters for employees in legal trouble (full names included), and even sharing home addresses and court details. No clear privacy warnings The problem is made worse by Meta’s failure to clearly communicate privacy settings. Users don’t see where their posts are going or who can view them. If you log in with Instagram, and your Instagram is public, then your AI chats including questionable searches like how to meet “big booty women” might be too. A feature nobody needed It’s baffling that Meta thought users would want to turn their AI chats into a social feed. The idea feels rushed and poorly considered something even Google has wisely avoided. Let’s not forget AOL’s disastrous release of search data in 2006, which became a cautionary tale in tech privacy. Embarrassment goes viral Since its launch on April 29, Meta’s AI app has been downloaded about 6.5 million times, according to Appfigures. That may sound impressive, but for a tech giant that’s poured billions into AI, it’s underwhelming. Meanwhile, the app is filling up with trolling posts: résumés asking for cybersecurity jobs, or users with cartoon avatars seeking tips on making water bottle bongs. If Meta wanted attention for its AI app, it’s getting it but at the cost of users’ privacy and trust.