Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages

A draft of the article "Microsoft's AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages" can be found here: Microsoft’s AI Secretly Copies Your WhatsApp, Signal Messages: Privacy Concerns Ignite Global Backl A new wave of privacy concerns has emerged as reports indicate that Microsoft’s AI systems have been secretly accessing and copying messages from encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal.
According to whistleblowers and recent cybersecurity investigations, Microsoft's AI models, which are a part of the Windows ecosystem and cloud services, have been quietly scanning user data in a variety of applications, including supposedly secure platforms. These revelations have sparked alarm among privacy advocates, governments, and tech users around the world.
How did it occur? Microsoft's Copilot AI and its integration with Windows system-level permissions, according to reports, are the source of the problem. Copilot reportedly logged user interactions, including messages sent or received via WhatsApp Desktop, Signal, and other encrypted communication tools, when granted broad access to device activity and app usage. Although these applications claim to use complete encryption, the security flaw appears to be outside of the encryption itself. Through clipboard monitoring, keystroke logging, or background process reading—capabilities users unknowingly authorized during setup—Microsoft's AI may have had access to messages viewed or typed in Windows. Official Responses and Denials
According to Microsoft's statement, their AI "only collects data with user consent to improve experience" and "no encrypted data is decrypted or used without permission." Microsoft denies any intentional violation of user privacy. However, critics argue that the company has failed to clearly inform users of what permissions they grant during installation.
The possibility of a breach has been criticized by both WhatsApp and Signal, with Meredith Whittaker, CEO of Signal, describing it as "a disturbing overreach that undermines the very principles of encryption and privacy." Global Reaction and Investigations
European regulators, already critical of American tech giants’ data practices, have opened formal investigations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A number of senators in the United States have requested hearings on AI oversight and digital privacy. “This could be the Cambridge Analytica moment for AI,” warned Eva Galperin, Director of Cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “We cannot allow AI systems to become Trojan horses for mass surveillance.”
What You Can Do
Experts recommend that users review app permissions, disable unnecessary Copilot features, and consider using operating systems or privacy tools that limit background access to encrypted communications.
Conclusion
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday technology, the balance between innovation and privacy grows more fragile. The alleged data harvesting by Microsoft’s AI serves as a stark reminder that privacy in the age of AI is not guaranteed—even on platforms built to protect it.