Renew MEP Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, joined by six fellow Renew MEPs, has asked the European Commission to assess whether WhatsApp's new 'incognito' mode for its Meta AI chatbot complies with EU digital legislation, flagging concerns over accountability gaps due to the feature's 'zero-log' infrastructure.
The parliamentary question, submitted on 8 June 2026, follows WhatsApp's 13 May 2026 announcement of the incognito mode, which deletes past conversations instantly and stores no logs on servers. The MEPs cite cybersecurity experts warning that the lack of retained interaction data creates an accountability vacuum, complicating incident investigation, auditing, and enforcement in cases of harmful outputs or unlawful activities, particularly involving minors.
The question asks the Commission whether it is aware of the feature and has assessed its compatibility with EU rules on consumer protection, child safety, and platform accountability. It also queries how the Commission plans to ensure effective compliance monitoring and regulatory oversight when AI interactions are not retained for audits, investigations, or incident reporting.
The Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks. The answer will signal the executive's stance on the tension between privacy-enhancing AI architectures and the enforceability of digital regulations.