Popular AI chatbots ChatGPT and Copilot will soon be unavailable to WhatsApp users as Meta shifts its platform policies regarding third-party applications. Teh changes, set to take effect January 15, stem from a broader decision by Meta to restrict AI chatbot access through its WhatsApp Business API, impacting both individual users and the companies behind thes rapidly-adopted technologies. Users will need to access these AI services directly through their respective apps or web interfaces after the deadline [[2]],with differing approaches to preserving chat history.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot will no longer be accessible through WhatsApp starting January 15, due to changes in Meta’s platform policies.
After that date, WhatsApp users will need to access the AI chatbots directly through the Copilot and ChatGPT applications or their web versions.
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Meta explained the removal of the two chatbots is to comply with revised WhatsApp platform policies announced last month.
At that time, Meta’s messaging service stated it would no longer support AI chatbots utilizing the WhatsApp Business API to serve customers, opting instead to allocate those resources to other business types.
According to Tech Crunch, this change doesn’t prevent businesses from using AI for customer service, but it does remove WhatsApp as a distribution channel for AI chatbots, impacting companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, Perplexity, and others. The move underscores Meta’s control over its platform and how it intends to shape the future of business interactions within WhatsApp.
ChatGPT users will be able to link their accounts to maintain message history on the chatbot platform.
However, Copilot chat history will not be preserved when users transition to the Microsoft platform, as access to the chatbot on WhatsApp was not authenticated.
Microsoft recommends users who need to retain their conversations export them using WhatsApp’s built-in tools before the January 15 deadline.
WhatsApp first announced the changes to its Business API policies in October, prohibiting third-party chatbots from the platform.
This latest step will affect AI assistants for WhatsApp from companies such as OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia—backed by Khosla Ventures—and Poke, supported by General Catalyst.
The company has added a new section to its Business API terms and conditions targeting “AI providers,” specifically focusing on versatile chatbots.
These terms state that Meta will not allow AI model providers to distribute their AI assistants on WhatsApp.
According to Meta, providers and developers of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning technologies, including but not limited to large language models, generative AI platforms, versatile AI assistants, or similar technologies as determined by Meta in its sole discretion (“AI Providers”), are strictly prohibited from accessing or using the WhatsApp Business Solution, directly or indirectly.
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