WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that may allow users to bring third-party AI agents and bots directly into messaging apps. The feature is spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.35.3 and would let users create a dedicated chat with an external agent without giving it access to their personal conversations. Users will be able to connect up to five agents to a single WhatsApp account, potentially allowing different AI assistants or bots to handle different tasks.
The upcoming feature can be available via a new Agents section in WhatsApp settings. Users would reportedly be able to give an agent a name and profile picture before connecting it to the app. WhatsApp would then generate an API key, which users would need to enter on the platform where their AI agent or bot is hosted. Once connected, the agent would appear as a separate conversation in WhatsApp.
The feature is not limited to AI assistants. Compatible bots and other automated services may also be connected using the generated API key.
One important limitation is that an agent will only be able to see messages shared in its dedicated conversation. It will not have access to a user’s other WhatsApp chats, contacts, or media.
Users will also be able to rename agents, change their profile pictures and reset the connection by generating a new API key. Removing an agent will disconnect it, although the existing chat history will remain visible. For now, agents can only be used in individual chats and cannot be added to groups or communities.
However, this may raise privacy concerns. As per the report, the conversation with the third-party agents will not be considered end-to-end encrypted because messages are processed through a Meta-managed service on behalf of the agent developer. This means the developer behind the agent may be able to access messages sent to it. Regular personal WhatsApp messages and calls, meanwhile, will continue to use end-to-end encryption.