WhatsApp is working on a new label for its channels that would mark AI-generated media allowing creators to follow regional transparency laws. Under the feature, media being circulated on the platform will be tagged as “AI generated” if it gets identified as synthetic content.
The Meta-owned messaging platform is currently in the process of creating this feature, WABetaInfo reported on Tuesday. The feature is yet to be rolled out for beta testing which indicates that its global roll-out could be at least a few weeks away.
At first, content being shared on WhatsApp channels will get the AI content label. These channels, controlled by admins, can be followed by unlimited number of WhatsApp users to receive related updates.
Because channels circulate messages to the masses, the platform is reportedly prioritizing this particular service to deploy its upcoming AI-flagging labels to, looking to curb the spread of misinformation.
As per the report, channel admins will be given the option to add the label by pressing and holding their published message, then selecting “Add AI content label” from the context menu. Once applied, this label will be irremovable.
Because WhatsApp claims to be end-to-end encrypted, Meta plans to give channel admins the authority to add the AI-generated label to group messages. The platform maintains that Meta cannot read chats on WhatsApp and only messages that mention @MetaAI can be read by the company.
Source: WABetaInfo
The platform is likely to exempt text messages drafted by AI tools to be labelled as AI-generated.
As of now the timeline for the launch of this feature remains unclear.