Uh oh, Meta is implementing a change that some users aren’t going to like (and others are going to applaud). Due to new guidelines for WhatsApp business accounts, soon AI chatbots will no longer be allowed when they’re used as the main purpose of the messenger app.
The relevant policy text says:
Providers and developers of artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies, including but not limited to large language models, generative artificial intelligence platforms, general-purpose artificial intelligence assistants … are strictly prohibited from accessing or using the WhatsApp Business Solution, whether directly or indirectly, for the purposes of providing, delivering, offering, selling, or otherwise making available such technologies when such technologies are the primary (rather than incidental or ancillary) functionality being made available for use, as determined by Meta in its sole discretion.
In layman’s terms, this means that AI tools like ChatGPT will be removed from WhatsApp, and AI providers (such as Perplexity) will no longer be allowed to offer chatbots via WhatsApp. The only AI you’ll be allowed to use for support on WhatsApp will be Meta’s own AI.
Officially, the change won’t take effect until January 16th, 2026, but it’s possible that OpenAI will remove ChatGPT from WhatsApp before then to avoid conflicts with Meta.
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Why is WhatsApp banning AI chatbots?
According to Meta (via TechCrunch), chatbots like ChatGPT “placed a lot of burden on its system with increased message volume and required a different kind of support, which the company wasn’t ready for.”
However, the fact that Meta’s own AI has also been available in WhatsApp since earlier this year is also likely to be a factor that led to this decision, especially as Meta’s AI can’t be deactivated or deleted.
Starting January 2026, it’ll still be possible to use chatbots and AI in WhatsApp, for example to provide support or customer service. But there can no longer be a real AI assistant. Anyone who fails to adhere to the guidelines risks being banned from WhatsApp Business Solutions.
What should you do about this?
To date, over 50 million people are said to have used ChatGPT via WhatsApp, which should be seen as a huge success for both apps. Nevertheless, the end of the brief collaboration is inevitable.
Starting January 2026, anyone who wants to continue using ChatGPT will have to use one of ChatGPT’s apps (like the Android version on the Play Store) or directly in the web browser. Both options offer more features than ChatGPT via WhatsApp, and they’re less limited when it comes to uploading files or voice input.
Alternatively, you can start chatting with Meta AI via the search bar in WhatsApp. Meta AI is currently based on the Llama 4 language model, which offers efficient and solution-oriented answers but isn’t as good at working with context as ChatGPT is. Note that Meta AI will start snooping on your chats soon for personalizing ads and content.
If you don’t want to lose access to your chat history with ChatGPT, you should back it up by January 15th, 2026. To do this, you need to link your WhatsApp account to your ChatGPT account, which you can do via ChatGPT on WhatsApp by clicking the three-dot menu and then View contact. Scroll down, then select Link your ChatGPT account.
Further reading: Fun ways to use ChatGPT when you’re bored