No more ChatGPT and Perplexity on WhatsApp! Meta quietly updates its policy

Meta has taken a decisive step to reinforce its dominance in the AI chatbot space on WhatsApp. Following the introduction of Meta AI, the company has been actively enhancing its social media platforms with AI features, yet has not provided users with an option to disengage from these interactions. Earlier this month, Meta revealed plans to utilize user conversations with Meta AI for targeted advertising across its platforms. In a recent policy update, the company has formally prohibited general-purpose AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp, a move that is set to take effect on January 15, 2026. This policy change, published on October 18, will require third-party AI services like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke to cease their operations on the messaging platform. According to the updated WhatsApp business API policy, AI providers are strictly forbidden from using the WhatsApp Business Solution for the primary purpose of offering AI technologies. This includes large language models and generative AI platforms, as determined solely by Meta. However, the company clarified that businesses using AI for customer service, such as e-commerce sites, banks, travel agencies, and healthcare providers, will not be affected by this new restriction. A spokesperson for Meta informed TechCrunch that the presence of AI chatbots has significantly increased the load on its system, leading to a higher volume of messages that the company is currently ill-equipped to support. While Meta cites operational challenges as the reason for this ban, the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence remains evident. Earlier this year, Meta established its Superintelligence Labs, attracting top talent from leading AI firms like OpenAI. The race for achieving Superintelligence—a level of AI development where machines can perform tasks on par with or better than humans—continues to intensify in the tech industry.