OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot are both preparing to withdraw from WhatsApp, a consequence of forthcoming modifications to the messaging platform’s terms of service that will explicitly forbid using its infrastructure to distribute artificial intelligence chatbots not developed or approved by Meta itself. This strategic realignment marks a significant moment in the evolving relationship between major AI developers and dominant communication platforms owned by tech conglomerates.
OpenAI disclosed its intention to discontinue WhatsApp integration several weeks ago, signaling an early response to Meta’s upcoming restrictions. Microsoft promptly followed with a matching announcement this week, confirming that its Copilot service would adhere to the same timeline. Both companies have cited Meta’s new contractual framework for the WhatsApp Business Solution as the central motivation behind their exits. According to their statements, the updated terms—set to take effect on January 15, 2026—will govern how businesses and third parties may employ WhatsApp’s business-oriented tools, effectively prohibiting it from functioning as a general distribution channel for independent AI conversational systems. Until that enforcement date arrives, both ChatGPT and Copilot will reportedly continue to function on WhatsApp without interruption.
OpenAI has provided an additional measure to aid its current users during this transition: individuals who utilize ChatGPT through WhatsApp will be able to link their existing accounts, ensuring that their chat histories and contextual data remain preserved when shifting away from the platform. By contrast, Microsoft’s Copilot users will not receive an equivalent option, meaning that their conversational records will not be transferable once access through WhatsApp officially ceases.
The origins of this situation trace back to Meta’s announcement in October, when the company unveiled its decision to revise WhatsApp’s terms of service. These amendments explicitly bar AI-focused organizations from employing the WhatsApp Business API as a mechanism for chatbot dissemination. Importantly, the prohibition does not apply to all forms of automation or digital assistance. Businesses will still retain permission to operate customer service bots or support-oriented AI tools, provided those systems serve as functional extensions of a company’s core operations rather than as independent AI products in their own right. In essence, Meta’s goal is to prevent competitors from leveraging its global messaging platform to distribute rival AI assistants, while continuing to enable conventional customer engagement functions.
During the public explanation of this policy, an unnamed Meta representative provided clarification to TechCrunch, underscoring the company’s rationale and broader priorities. The spokesperson emphasized that the WhatsApp Business API exists primarily to facilitate meaningful interactions between enterprises and their clients—helping organizations deliver customer service, send relevant updates, and manage inquiries efficiently. Meta, they stated, remains committed to supporting the vast ecosystem of businesses—numbering in the tens of thousands—that rely on WhatsApp for these legitimate commercial purposes. In short, Meta’s stance is that communication on the platform should enhance its business network rather than empower external AI ecosystems that compete directly with its in‑house technologies.
This impending regulatory change within WhatsApp’s ecosystem will likely prompt additional departures among third-party AI assistants. Services such as Perplexity, which similarly operate AI-driven conversational experiences, are expected to announce withdrawals from the platform in anticipation of the rule enforcement. Once these transitions are complete, Meta’s own proprietary assistant, Meta AI, will stand as the sole officially supported chatbot available on WhatsApp beginning in January 2026. The move effectively consolidates Meta’s control over AI interactions within its messaging service, reinforcing its strategy of maintaining a closed, self-regulated ecosystem while shaping the competitive landscape of AI-powered communication.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/829808/chatgpt-copilot-ai-llm-leaving-whatsapp-meta
