WhatsApp Help Pages Leaked Hidden Instructions for a Meta Chatbot

An analysis by privacy company Redact found that about 80 WhatsApp help and FAQ pages had exposed hidden instructions written for a Meta chatbot. The text, embedded in the pages’ code, offered a rare look at how the chatbot was directed and included guidance not shown to users.

Among roughly 100 blocks of instructions, one told the chatbot not to recommend contacting a data protection authority about deleting an account. Other directions covered legal questions, accessibility and unreleased features. Meta said a bug had exposed chatbot instructions that were intended to help answer support queries, and removed the text after being contacted; it is unclear how long it was visible or whether third-party chatbots could access it.