Meta Platforms will remove all third-party artificial intelligence chatbots, including popular services like ChatGPT, from its WhatsApp messaging platform by early 2026, consolidating its own Meta AI as the exclusive virtual assistant.
The updated WhatsApp Business API policy, set to take effect on January 15, 2026, confirms this upcoming ban. This strategic shift aims to refocus WhatsApp on enterprise-to-consumer communication rather than general AI interactions.
A Meta spokesperson stated that the API was “designed to enhance businesses’ communication with their customers, and not to distribute generic chatbots.” The prohibition specifically targets general-use generative AI models.
Specialized business bots, such as restaurant order systems, will not be affected and will continue to operate on the platform.
Meta cited high network traffic and technical support loads from third-party chatbots as factors impacting system stability. The company claims these external services created an undue burden on its infrastructure.
This decision effectively migrates the entire AI virtual assistant experience on WhatsApp into Meta’s proprietary ecosystem. Meta AI is poised to become the platform’s sole official chat assistant.
Services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Perplexity’s search-based assistant had previously offered advanced features on WhatsApp, including text, voice messages, and image creation. ChatGPT was launched on WhatsApp last year, and Perplexity followed in early 2025.
Experts interpret this move as a reinforcement of Meta’s closed ecosystem approach within its broader AI strategy. The company intends to reduce infrastructure strain and safeguard its revenue model derived from business messaging.
This action underscores Meta’s ambition to centralize data security and user experience management across its platforms. The strategy outlines WhatsApp’s future trajectory within the competitive AI landscape.