WhatsApp is from Facebook and it implements the Signal protocol which offers end-to-end encryption. That's why Facebook with WhatsApp cannot do the same as Google does with Gmail. If they do, then their E2E encryption is fucked up.
You can probably trust whatsapp end to end encryption as much as you can trust facebook to protect your privacy [1][2].
[1]: https://www.ghacks.net/2017/01/13/whatsapp-security-make-thi... [2]: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/israeli-firm-allegedly-selling-spy-...
"We are strong advocates of encryption and have built it into the largest messaging platforms in the world -- WhatsApp and Messenger."
My point is that "end-to-end encryption in private channels" and "using AI to analyze data in private channels" is incompatible.
[1] https://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-zuckerberg/building-glob...
Historically speaking, Zuckerberg isn't trustworthy. The "Stupid fucks" comment from long ago should've been the first indicator of his shady character.
You have no way to know what is actually running on their servers.
However, saying that they implement E2E encryption and at the same time they will use AI to analyze what goes through the connection doesn't have to do with lies. It's just impossible. To analyze data you need to be able to read it. And you cannot read it if it's encrypted.
Corporate surveillance, with the intention of advertising to me no doubt, or selling what they can learn about me to advertisers.
I also assume any text messaging over Facebook Messenger can be used against me in a court of law. I don't imagine it's encrypted whatsoever.