
ChatGPT and other third-party AI chatbots will no longer work on WhatsApp from January 15, 2026. Meta has introduced a new policy that bans general-purpose AI assistants from using the WhatsApp Business API. The new rule is shutting out ChatGPT and similar bots like Perplexity, Luzia, and more.
The update quietly rolled out on October 18, 2025, and as a result, only Meta’s AI chatbot will be available on WhatsApp. According to the company, this change will help reduce misuse, manage server loads, and keep WhatsApp focused on business and customer communication rather than open-ended AI chatting.

Apart from that, OpenAI has already confirmed that ChatGPT’s WhatsApp integration will stop working after the cutoff date. Users are advised to link their ChatGPT accounts before then if they want to preserve their chat history, though WhatsApp doesn’t allow automated chat exports.
While Meta’s new policy leaves room for AI-powered customer service bots used by businesses, any general-purpose assistants powered by large language models are being phased out. The move is expected to hit some independent AI startups that had found an audience through WhatsApp.
However, Meta’s long-term goal appears clear: consolidate AI usage within its ecosystem. The company continues to expand Meta AI across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, with plans to eventually personalize ads and content based on user interactions with its AI.