A cynical view of WhatsApp's Advanced Privacy

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:13:47 +0530

WhatsApp has an Advanced privacy mode they launched in Apr 2025. People in the chat:

Can’t ask Meta AI to answer questions, or to create images or summaries in this chat.
Cynical view: When regulators clamp down AI or users complain about AI, Meta can say “We asked users and they gave permission!”
Can’t export the chat.
Cynical view: When regulators force Meta to be inter-operable with Signal, Telegram, etc. Meta can say “Users don’t want to export their chats!” Also, easier to tell businesses “You can disable exports - less litigation risk”.
Can’t save media to their device gallery automatically.
Cynical view: When you want to switch to Telegram, Signal, these photos can’t be exported - so you have to stay on WhatsApp.

Open Search

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 12:00:00 +0000

OpenSearch. “We want OpenSearch to do for search what RSS has done for content.” It’s an RSS interface to search, and is an extremely powerful concept.

The real reason for .NET

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 12:00:00 +0000

The real reason for .NET: taking Windows to UNIX.

interoperability on S Anand

A cynical view of WhatsApp's Advanced Privacy

Open Search

The real reason for .NET