ChatGPT and Copilot will be pulling out from WhatsApp. This move is to comply with some changes to Meta's policy.
In case you weren't aware, many AI services integrated their chatbots within WhatsApp to allow users to access their AI models right within the instant messaging app. This included the likes of Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Perplexity. Meta's own AI is deeply integrated into WhatsApp.
The Verge reports that a month ago, WhatsApp had announced some changes to its terms. You can read it here. This is the main change, "are strictly prohibited from accessing or using the WhatsApp Business Solution, whether directly or indirectly, for the purposes of providing, delivering, offering, selling, or otherwise making available such technologies when such technologies are the primary (rather than incidental or ancillary) functionality being made available for use, as determined by Meta in its sole discretion".
This is essentially Meta's way of gatekeeping its rivals off of its platform. In its defense, a company spokesperson had told TechCrunch, that "The purpose of the WhatsApp Business API is to help businesses provide customer support and send relevant updates". When this policy comes into effect in January 2026, Meta's AI will be the sole AI option available for users on WhatsApp. That's one way to force your users to use your AI.
OpenAI released a statement a couple of weeks ago, expressing its disappointment about Meta's policy, and being unable to serve users on WhatsApp. It is directing users to use the ChatGPT app on their preferred platform of choice, along with instructions on how to preserve their chat history with ChatGPT. Microsoft has released a similar statement to inform Copilot users about the change, and details on how to export their chat with Copilot.
Users can continue accessing ChatGPT and Copilot in WhatsApp until January 15, 2026. But the tools will no longer be available beyond the said date. Perplexity hasn't announced its exit from WhatsApp yet, but it's only a matter of time before it does.
On a side note, Perplexity unveiled its AI Shopping Assistant recently.
Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post ChatGPT and Copilot will be removed from WhatsApp due to Meta's policy appeared first on gHacks Technology News.
0 Commentaires