LINE, Japan's ubiquitous messaging app used by over 95% of the population, is facing unexpected user criticism following the rollout of a new AI-powered feature in September.
The new 'AI Talk Suggest' function adds a small AI icon next to the emoji button in the chat input field. Using conversational context, it automatically suggests reply candidates, from full sentences to appropriate stickers, aiming to be a built-in ChatGPT for everyday chats.
Convenience or Nuisance?
Despite its innovative potential, the feature has been met with a wave of complaints on social media. Users report that the icon's placement makes it frustratingly easy to tap accidentally instead of the emoji button. Furthermore, many find the feature cannot be easily disabled or hidden, leading to frustration.
\"Honestly, I don't feel the need to have AI write my messages,\" shared a male student in his 20s. \"I want to use my own words with friends, and I keep almost hitting the AI button when I go for emojis... I tried searching how to remove it but couldn't find a way. It feels a bit inconvenient.\"
Privacy Concerns Surface
Beyond inconvenience, the update has stirred deeper privacy anxieties. A past incident in November, where a glitch in the album feature mistakenly showed other users' photos, has left some users wary of allowing the app to analyze their chat history.
\"The idea of an AI reading my chat history feels kind of unpleasant,\" said a female office worker in her 30s. \"If, by any chance, those conversations were leaked... thinking about it makes me scared to use the feature.\"
A Call for Better Communication
Technology analysts suggest that LINE may need to better communicate the feature's benefits and, crucially, give users clear control. \"To address negative user feedback, LINE should provide a clear explanation of the AI button's utility, introduce settings to freely toggle the feature on and off, and offer transparent safety assurances,\" commented an IT writer.
The situation highlights the delicate balance tech companies must strike between introducing cutting-edge features and maintaining the intuitive, user-friendly experience that made them popular in the first place.
