Meta has recently introduced its AI chatbot in WhatsApp across the EU, including the UK and Australia. However, many users are frustrated by the presence of a non-removable Meta AI button, which has ignited controversy and caught the attention of EU lawmakers. If you are in the EU and have noticed the multi-colored ring button in WhatsApp, you are not alone. This shortcut leads to the Meta AI chatbot, which was rolled out in the region after a quieter debut in the US and Canada earlier this year.

Unlike the muted response in North America, the button has become a contentious issue among European users. The decision to include the AI button has not gone unnoticed. Many WhatsApp users are angered by their inability to disable it, as it remains visible in the chat section while using the app. Additionally, the AI button is integrated into WhatsApp’s search bar, prompting users with the message, “Ask Meta AI or Search.” Concerns over privacy have emerged, leading to questions about Meta’s choice to embed this feature within the messaging platform.

Meta has attempted to alleviate these privacy concerns through its Help Page, asserting that personal messages remain encrypted and only accessible to users within the chat. However, they caution against sharing sensitive information with the AI, as the company can utilize any data shared for training purposes. The recent launch of the Llama 4 model, which powers Meta AI, suggests that the button is not going away anytime soon. On April 8, a Member of the European Parliament raised questions about the button’s compliance with EU regulations.

Following ongoing scrutiny related to an antitrust case, this issue further highlights Meta’s challenges within the EU regulatory framework, leaving the future of the AI button uncertain.