Verdict
Meta AI's UK App Store download is free and it already sits inside WhatsApp, so many people have it without choosing it, and in user reviews the most upvoted replies ask how to remove it. TechRadar found the April 2026 Muse Spark update made it a proper chatbot on a par with ChatGPT, though that launch was US-first. Surfshark counted 33 of 35 App Store data types collected, more than any other chatbot it checked.
Privacy note. Most data-hungry chatbot in Surfshark's count, 33 of 35 types (techradar.com Surfshark piece); trains on UK public posts with an objection form only (which.co.uk); 2025 Discover-feed exposure and teen-chat rules (techcrunch.com). UK and EU excluded from chat-based ad targeting.
Best for
WhatsApp users who want quick answers or images without installing another app
Skip if
Privacy matters more than convenience, or a teenager shares the phone
Key facts
- Category
- Everyday AI assistants
- Made by
- Meta Platforms, Inc.
- Based in
- United States
- Launched
- 2025
- Works on
- iPhone, Android, Web, hardware
- In the UK
- Yes
- Free plan
- Free in the Meta AI app, meta.ai and inside WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger; heavy users hit usage caps
What it does
- answers questions by text or voice in 13 languages
- answers questions about photos, videos, documents and spreadsheets
- recommends products and local places using posts from Instagram, Facebook and Threads
- creates AI videos (Vibes)
- offers incognito chats that are not kept
- works across WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, Facebook and Meta's AI glasses
Ratings
What people say
Standalone-app users on X praise its speed, image and video tools and the small Mac app, but WhatsApp users in user reviews mostly resent Meta AI being built in with no way to switch it off. Store stars (4.62 from 2.58M on Google Play) contrast with Trustpilot's 1.5 (89 reviews, thin) and the user reviews mood, a big gap.
“this UI is beautiful playing w/ image + video inside new Meta AI app and am impressed by speed + quality”
Post on X, 13 April 2026 · source
“with the simple move of shipping better Mac app, Meta AI app took over as my go to app”
Post on X, 21 August 2026 · source
“I still struggle to find its relevance honestly. I’m a fan of exploring new new tech and integrating it but this one actually seems to be in my way and I can’t find a use case for it”
Individual user review, 26 December 2025 · source
“Never asked for it, never used it, and would love an option to remove it.”
Individual user review, 26 December 2025 · source
“Meta forcing AI into WhatsApp without an option to disable it is pushing me away from the platform.”
Individual user review, 7 June 2026 · source
Press reviews
- TechRadar 2026-04-09
Muse Spark turned Meta AI into 'a proper chatbot you can actually use', close to ChatGPT or Gemini, with image and video creation; rolled out in the US first.
- TechRadar (Surfshark research) 2026-10-02
Meta AI collects 33 of 35 App Store data types, the most of 13 chatbots compared, including sensitive categories.
- Tom's Guide 2025-10-02
From 16 Dec 2025 Meta AI chats feed ad targeting with no full opt-out, but the rollout excludes the UK, EU and South Korea.
Privacy
- Trains on your data
- yes; Meta trains on UK adults' public Facebook and Instagram posts (not private messages) since late 2024, and secondary sources say Meta AI chats are used to improve its AI. Meta's own generative AI privacy page did not load for fetching
- Opt-out
- UK users can file Meta's 'right to object' form for public posts (Settings > Privacy Centre > AI at Meta, per Which?); no in-app switch to stop Meta AI chats being used to improve models was found (Decrypt 2024, secondary). Chats can be deleted
- Retention
- no stated retention period for Meta AI chats found
- Incidents
- Meta AI app's public Discover feed exposed chats people did not realise they had shared, including medical and legal details (TechCrunch, 12 Jun 2025); a later blog says the feed was removed, unverified. Reuters reported in Aug 2025 that internal rules let Meta's chatbots have 'romantic or sensual' chats with children; Meta removed them and added teen restrictions (TechCrunch, 14 Aug 2025). From 16 Dec 2025 Meta AI chats feed ad targeting outside the UK, EU and South Korea. ICO said in Sep 2024 it had not approved Meta's UK training plan and would monitor it.
- Age limit
- 13+ under Meta's terms with parental permission under 18 (ConductAtlas summary); teens are blocked from AI characters but keep the Meta AI assistant; UK App Store rates the app 12+
In court
Lawsuits and regulator actions involving Meta. Claims are the claimant's allegations unless a court or regulator has ruled. The privacy score above was reviewed against this record. Who runs Meta: Mark Zuckerberg.
The FTC alleges Meta maintained a personal-social-networking monopoly, including through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
D.D.C.; D.C. Circuit · 1:20-cv-03590; 26-5028 · 1 June 2026: corrected amici brief filed in the FTC's D.C. Circuit appeal.
- Kadrey v. Meta PlatformsPending
Authors allege Meta copied protected books without permission to train its AI models.
N.D. Cal. · 3:23-cv-03417 · 25 March 2026: court allowed a further amendment; the proposed class action continues.
The FTC said Facebook violated its earlier privacy order by deceiving users about control of their personal information.
US Federal Trade Commission · FTC File No. 182 3109 · 24 July 2019: Meta predecessor agreed to a $5 billion penalty and 20-year order.
The DPC found Meta Ireland's Facebook transfers of EU/EEA personal data to the US breached GDPR Article 46(1).
Irish Data Protection Commission · IN-20-8-1 · 12 May 2023: DPC fined Meta Ireland €1.2 billion and made compliance orders.
The Commission found Meta's EU pay-or-consent model did not offer a service using less personal data.
European Commission · DMA.100055 · 23 April 2025: Commission fined Meta €200 million for DMA non-compliance.
- Meta/Giphy merger inquiryRuled against
The CMA found Meta's Giphy acquisition could reduce competition for social media and UK display advertising.
UK Competition and Markets Authority · ME/6850/20 · 23 June 2023: Meta completed Giphy's CMA-approved sale to Shutterstock.
Official videos
- Your personal AI. The new Meta AI app. 2025-06-24
FAQ
Is Meta AI free?
The UK App Store download is free, and Meta AI is free inside WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. That App Store listing is also marked In-App Purchases, but it shows no prices. Meta has tested paid tiers from $7.99 a month in Singapore, Guatemala and Bolivia.
Can Meta AI be turned off in WhatsApp?
Not fully. individual reviewers report there is no switch to remove it; it only answers when someone starts a chat with it or mentions it.
Does Meta use Meta AI chats for adverts?
Outside the UK, EU and South Korea, yes, from 16 December 2025. Tom's Guide reports the UK was excluded from that change.
Does Meta train its AI on my Facebook and Instagram posts?
For UK adults, public posts, photos and comments can be used, but not private messages. Which? explains how to file Meta's objection form from the Privacy Centre.
Is Meta AI safe for teenagers?
Meta tightened its rules after Reuters reported in August 2025 that its chatbots had been allowed romantic chats with children. Teens are now blocked from AI characters but can still use the Meta AI assistant.
Scores are based on published evidence, not lab tests. How we score.
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