Meta to Ban Third-Party Chatbots on WhatsApp Starting January 2026

October 19, 2025
Meta will block general-purpose AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp beginning January 15, 2026, leaving Meta AI as the only assistant available on the platform. The policy change updates the WhatsApp Business API to prohibit external AI providers from offering chatbot services directly to users.

Meta Platforms will prohibit third-party general-purpose chatbots from operating on WhatsApp starting January 15, 2026. The change updates the WhatsApp Business API terms to restrict access for AI model providers offering assistants or generative AI tools directly to users.

Under the new rules, providers of large language models and general-purpose AI assistants will not be allowed to use the WhatsApp Business Solution when such technologies are the main service provided. The decision affects companies that have deployed assistants like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke on the platform.

Meta stated that the WhatsApp Business API is intended for businesses to manage customer interactions, not for distributing general-purpose AI chatbots. Businesses using AI for limited customer service tasks will still be permitted to operate bots, such as those used for handling orders or travel inquiries.

Once the policy takes effect, Meta AI will be the only general-purpose assistant available on WhatsApp. The move consolidates Meta Platforms, Inc.'s position across its messaging ecosystem, where Meta AI is already integrated into Messenger and Instagram.

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