Starting January 15, millions of WhatsApp users will lose access to a key feature. WhatsApp users will not be able to avail this feature due to Meta's new policy. Meta has updated its policy prohibiting the use of third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp. This is an important change in WhatsApp's Business API rules. Business users typically use third-party chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI on WhatsApp.
Meta's new policy
General AI will not be allowed on the instant messaging platform under WhatsApp's new policy. OpenAI, the company that created ChatGPT, has confirmed that ChatGPT will no longer be available on WhatsApp after January 15, 2026. The company has banned its use. OpenAI made the announcement in a blog post. Currently more than 50 million users (5 crore) are using ChatGPT on WhatsApp. Shutting down this feature will affect millions of these users.
Generic AI chatbots cannot be used on WhatsApp Business API from 15 January 2026 under Meta's new policy. Meta attributed this change to increased system load and number of messages. OpenAI stated on Meta's policy that it would like to continue its service on WhatsApp but this will not be possible due to the company's policy. For this the company is focusing on making this transition easy so that users can preserve their chat history.
