New Delhi: WhatsApp is testing a feature that could make it easier to handle long chats. Instead of reading every single message, users may soon get a short summary that explains what the conversation was about. When there are too many unread messages, the app will show a quick overview so users can catch up on the main points without endless scrolling.
Right now, this feature is still under development, but in some regions, a basic version already exists. Users can open a chat and tap a “summarise” option to get a brief overview. This is especially useful when there are many unread messages and you just want the key information.
How chat summaries work
WhatsApp chat summary
The summarise feature picks up unread messages and turns them into a short overview. It removes the extra details and keeps only important points, so that it will be easier to quickly understand what’s going on, whether it’s a group chat or a one-on-one conversation.
It saves users from reading each message one by one, users can just check the summary and get the idea.
What is Private Processing
For this feature, WhatsApp uses something called Private Processing. It works in the background while the summary is being created and is meant to keep things secure.
The messages are handled in a protected setup, and the data stays encrypted during the process. It also hides who is making the request, so it can’t be linked back to a user. Once the summary is ready, the data isn’t saved.
Is the system safe
According to WhatsApp, this process is built to keep messages private at all times. The company says that neither it nor its parent company can read the messages or access the summaries generated through this feature.
The technology has also been reviewed by independent security firms to ensure it meets proper safety standards. The feature is optional, which means users have to turn it on themselves if they want to use it.
Problem with multiple chats
While summarising one chat is helpful, things get complicated when there are many chats with unread messages. Right now, users have to generate a summary for each chat separately, which can take time.
If someone has several active chats, repeating the same step again and again becomes less practical and slows things down.
To fix this, WhatsApp is working on a new update that will allow users to summarise all unread chats at once. A new option will appear in the inbox, letting users generate a combined summary of multiple conversations.