WhatsApp plans to ban ChatGPT-like AI chatbots in 2026

WhatsApp will no longer permit general-purpose AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, to operate on its platform under a new policy that takes effect on January 15, 2026. 

The Meta-owned messaging service has updated its Business API terms to prohibit third-party AI model providers from distributing their assistants through WhatsApp, effectively shutting out a growing number of AI-powered bots that have recently emerged on the platform.

In the revised policy, WhatsApp stated that "providers and developers of artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies," including large language models and generative AI assistants, are "strictly prohibited" from using the WhatsApp Business Solution if their technology functions as a standalone chatbot rather than an incidental feature.

The rule change is expected to affect a range of startups and AI companies that have integrated their conversational models into WhatsApp, including OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke. The update will not impact businesses using AI to improve customer service or automate responses within their own chat channels.

The move effectively reserves WhatsApp's AI integration for Meta's own assistant, Meta AI, while preventing independent AI developers from using the platform to reach WhatsApp's user base of more than 3 billion people.

Last year, OpenAI and Perplexity both launched chatbots on WhatsApp capable of answering text queries, interpreting images and voice notes, and generating media, features that likely contributed to the surge in message volume.

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