ChatGPT and Copilot are now booting from WhatsApp

OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot are both leaving WhatsApp thanks to upcoming changes to the messaging app’s terms of service that will ban its use to distribute chatbots not made by Meta.

OpenAI She announced her scheduled departure A few weeks ago, with Microsoft Follow him this week. The two companies attributed the departures to the new Meta Terms of Service for the WhatsApp Business Solution, which goes into effect on January 15, 2026, and said chatbots will remain available on WhatsApp until that date. ChatGPT users can link their accounts to WhatsApp to ensure their chat history persists, although Copilot users will not have this option.

WhatsApp announced the update to Its terms In October, it banned AI companies from using its business API as a distribution platform for chatbots. Other businesses will still be allowed to use WhatsApp for customer service or chatbot support, with the terms only prohibiting cases where the AI ​​itself is the product — a simple way to prevent Meta’s AI competitors from using their platform to reach customers.

“The purpose of the WhatsApp Business API is to help businesses provide customer support and send relevant updates,” a Meta spokesperson said. TechCrunch at that time. “Our focus is to support the tens of thousands of businesses building these experiences on WhatsApp.”

This change means that other third-party AI chatbots, including Perplexity, are likely to announce their exit from WhatsApp soon, leaving it… Meta artificial intelligence The only option available as of next January.