WhatsApp is gearing up to block artificial intelligence (AI) companies from providing access to chatbots and other machine learning tools through its business messaging platform. However, this update to the WhatsApp Business Solution policy will not affect businesses that use AI-powered tools specifically for customer service. Instead, AI companies will be prevented from leveraging WhatsApp’s Business data to train, enhance, and create their own chatbots on the instant messaging platform. Reports suggest that Meta is implementing these changes due to the increasing volume of messages straining its systems, though it could also be a strategic move to boost its proprietary AI assistant.
WhatsApp’s Updated Business Solution Policy on AI Chatbots
The instant messaging service has revised its business API policy to restrict large language model AI bots and other “machine learning technologies” from accessing WhatsApp Business. These new terms are slated to come into effect on January 15, 2026. While this will impact AI assistants from other companies currently offered as chats on WhatsApp, Meta has confirmed that the prohibition will not disrupt the services provided by other conventional businesses on WhatsApp.
The Meta-owned company emphasized that AI “providers and developers” are “strictly prohibited” from using the WhatsApp Business Solution to “provide, deliver, offer, or sell” large language AI models and machine learning technologies. Meta retains “sole discretion” over which functionalities are permitted on its platform. In related news, WhatsApp is also reportedly working on a new Quiz feature for its Channels.
AI firms such as OpenAI and Perplexity, which currently offer access to their chatbots via WhatsApp chats, will soon see this access terminated by Meta. These companies will also be prevented from using WhatsApp’s business solution to create, develop, train, or improve their AI models and related technologies. However, they will still be allowed to “fine-tune” models intended solely for their own internal use. WhatsApp stated that any violation of these terms could result in the termination of the business account and revocation of platform access.
Although WhatsApp has not explicitly detailed the precise reasoning behind this policy shift, it is reportedly enforcing it because the “WhatsApp Business API is designed for businesses serving customers rather than acting as a platform for chatbot distribution.” The growing usage of general-purpose AI chatbots on WhatsApp allegedly put Meta’s systems under significant pressure due to increased message volumes, requiring a “different kind of support that the company was unprepared for.”
Will Meta AI Be the Only Chatbot on WhatsApp?
While the surge in messages from third-party AI chatbots may have indeed burdened Meta’s systems, this policy change could also serve as a strategic move for the company to prioritize its own AI assistant, Meta AI, on WhatsApp. According to one report, the WhatsApp Business API is a significant revenue stream for the instant messaging service. Consequently, as other players began introducing their AI chatbots on WhatsApp, the traffic and user engagement became fragmented between Meta AI and its competitors.
Furthermore, while WhatsApp typically charges businesses for services like marketing, utility, authentication, and support, it lacked a clear mechanism to charge AI companies for using WhatsApp to provide their AI services to users.