E-Tools

Summary: WhatsApp changes its terms to bar general purpose chatbots from its platform Crunch

1. WhatsApp has updated its business API policy, banning general-purpose chatbots from the platform, effective January 15, 2026. This move affects AI assistants of companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke.

2. The ban does not affect businesses using AI for customer support; only AI model providers distributing their assistants on WhatsApp are prohibited. Meta stated that the API is designed for business-customer interaction, not chatbot distribution.

3. This change aims to monetize business messaging on WhatsApp, as it is one of the primary ways the app generates revenue. Mark Zuckerberg highlighted business messaging as a significant growth opportunity during Meta's Q1 2025 earnings call.
Summary
WhatsApp bans general-purpose chatbots from its business API, effective January 15, 2026. This decision affects AI assistants of companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke. The ban does not apply to businesses using AI for customer support but targets AI model providers distributing their
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ID: c1c30066-a381-44f6-9567-443357a2b2d6

Category ID: listed_summary

URL: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/18/whatssapp-changes-its-terms-to-bar-general-purpose-chatbots-from-its-platform/#summary

Date: Oct. 19, 2025

Notes: 2025-10-19

Created: 2025/10/19 00:12

Updated: 2025/12/07 23:59

Last Read: 2025/10/19 11:57