It's not possible to block Meta's AI bot on Threads. I'm unsure what we did to warrant this situation.
Meta's recently introduced Threads AI chatbot has stirred up considerable frustration among users who feel they've lost control over their feeds.
This week, Meta launched its AI chatbot through the @meta.ai account, similar to Grok on X. Users can tag this account in discussions and it will provide responses regarding trending topics, live sports, entertainment, or breaking news.
Currently in early beta access, this feature is available only to users in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, and Singapore. While @meta.ai is publicly viewable on the platform, users cannot block it.
Threads users are expressing their dissatisfaction with Meta AI due to the absence of a block option next to @meta.ai’s profile in the three-dot menu, a feature all other accounts possess.
Some users attempted to report the bot as spam, which usually prompts a block option, but found it either unavailable or malfunctioning. The phrase “Users cannot block Meta AI” quickly became a trending topic on Threads, with over a million posts seeking clarification.
What has Meta said in response to the criticism?
Meta spokesperson Christine Pai informed TheVerge that users may mute the bot, hide its replies, or select “Not interested.”
However, these alternatives are not equivalent to blocking, as they only help minimize the bot’s presence after it has already appeared, rather than preventing it from entering conversations altogether.
This backlash is part of a broader discussion occurring across social media regarding the pervasive integration of AI by companies, with users actively resisting these changes.
Meta has been implementing AI features across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, and Threads represents the latest addition. This strategy is aimed at keeping users engaged and enhancing Threads' competitiveness against X. Nevertheless, many users prefer to have the option to choose whether to interact with AI, rather than feeling compelled to do so.
Meta promises to continue gathering feedback during this beta phase before making any further expansions; whether this feedback will influence changes remains to be seen.
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Manisha Priyadarshini, a tech and entertainment writer, has over nine years of editorial experience.
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Meta is trialing an AI bot that aims to replicate the same online misunderstandings seen with AskGrok on X.
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It's not possible to block Meta's AI bot on Threads. I'm unsure what we did to warrant this situation.
Threads users are enraged upon realizing that Meta's new AI chatbot cannot be blocked like other accounts on the platform.
