WhatsApp bans AI assistants like ChatGPT from its platform
What's the story
Meta-owned messaging platform, WhatsApp, has updated its business API policy to prohibit the use of general-purpose chatbots on its platform. The change will affect a number of companies that have been using WhatsApp for their AI assistants, including OpenAI and Perplexity. The new policy will come into effect on January 15, 2026.
Policy details
New policy specifically targets AI model providers
The updated policy includes a new section dedicated to "AI providers," specifically targeting general-purpose chatbots. It states that Meta will not allow AI model providers to deploy their AI assistants on WhatsApp. The company clarified this move in a statement to TechCrunch, emphasizing that it does not affect businesses using AI for customer service on WhatsApp.
API purpose
Meta's statement on the unexpected use of general-purpose chatbots
Meta clarified that the WhatsApp Business API was built to help businesses provide customer support and send relevant updates. The company said it had seen an unexpected use case of general-purpose chatbots in recent months, which was not in line with the intended design and strategic focus of the API. This new use case has also increased message volume on its system, requiring a different kind of support.
Revenue impact
Why is business messaging important for Meta?
The WhatsApp Business API is a major revenue generator for the chat app as it charges businesses based on different message templates like marketing, utility, authentication, and support. However, since there was no provision for chatbots in this API design, WhatsApp couldn't charge them. During Meta's Q1 2025 earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasized that business messaging should be the next pillar of their business.