Meta blocks other AI chatbots on WhatsApp

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Meta has quietly changed its WhatsApp Business policy. From January 15, 2026, third-party AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Perplexity will no longer be allowed on the platform.

Only business-related bots that handle tasks like support, booking or shopping will stay. Chatbots made mainly for open chats, questions or content generation will be removed.

This change strengthens Meta’s control over how AI is used on WhatsApp and makes space for its own tool, Meta AI. The company says it wants to keep the platform simple and compliant, but the update also limits outside innovation.

What it means:

• Startups using WhatsApp for AI chatbots will need to move to other platforms.

• Users who rely on such bots may soon lose access to them.

• The change raises new concerns about control and fairness in the use of AI in everyday apps.

In short: Meta is not removing AI from WhatsApp. It just wants the only AI there to be its own.