Whatsapp is rolling out Private Processing

As predicted, Whatsapp is introducing Private Processing. I need to confirm what’s going on in the background exactly, but if I were to guess, it’s likely running on-device models to start processing your messages. If that’s true, then the timeline will go something like this - they will tweak the model and learning and signal gleaning for the next few weeks. Then they will introduce a T&C update which will change it from opt-in to opt-out.

Update: Turns out Private Processing is just more cloud execution, but now with your consent to process more of your messages.

I still think the end game is on-device processing to glean signals for better ad-targeting. LLMs, for all their benefits, have also made the surveillance, ever easier and more dangerous in the hands of bad actors.