META
Meta made WhatsApp a no-bot zone
Meta is changing its WhatsApp Business API rules to ban general-purpose AI chatbots from the platform, a decision that could affect companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke.
Starting 15 January 2026, “AI providers” using tools such as large language models or generative AI assistants won’t be allowed to use WhatsApp’s Business API.
Meta said the system was built for businesses that serve customers, not for hosting AI chatbots.
In a statement to TechCrunch, Meta confirmed this doesn’t impact businesses using AI to help with customer service, for example, a travel company running a booking bot will still be fine.
The company said chatbot traffic had placed extra pressure on WhatsApp’s systems, which weren’t designed for that kind of use.
In short:
WhatsApp earns money from paid message templates like marketing or support, not chatbot interactions.
Bots from OpenAI and Perplexity added major traffic by serving WhatsApp’s 3 billion+ users.
Meta now sees business messaging as its next big source of income after ads on Facebook and Instagram.
To refocus on its original purpose, Meta is removing AI use cases that don’t fit the API’s design.
This change means WhatsApp will stop being a platform for AI assistants, Meta AI will be the only one available.
RIP to everyone who was trauma-dumping on ChatGPT via WhatsApp. Including moi. - MG