TECHNOLOGY
WhatsApp Shuts Door on AI Chatbots
Tue Oct 21 2025
Starting next year, AI companies can't use WhatsApp as a chat interface.
This move affects companies like OpenAI and Perplexity, which have been using WhatsApp to let users chat with their AI models.
Why This Change Matters
- Huge User Base: WhatsApp has 3 billion users.
- Data-Friendly: Many AI companies saw WhatsApp as a great opportunity, especially in places where WhatsApp doesn't count against data plans.
New Rule Details
- Business API Restriction: AI companies can't use WhatsApp's business API if their main service is providing AI chatbots.
- Customer Support Allowed: Companies can still use AI for customer support on WhatsApp.
Company Responses
- OpenAI: Their WhatsApp contact won't work after January 15, 2026.
- Perplexity: Hasn't confirmed their plans yet.
Meta's Motivation
- Competition: Meta has its own chatbot and might not want competition on its platform.
- User Experience: This move could also be about controlling the user experience on WhatsApp.
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questions
What measures can be taken to ensure fair competition and user access to diverse AI services?
Could this ban be a cover for Meta to integrate its own AI technologies more deeply into WhatsApp?
What alternative platforms might AI companies explore to reach their users after the WhatsApp ban?
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