Meta recently announced that starting January 15, 2026, it will prohibit competitors' AI chatbots from using its commercial API on the WhatsApp platform. This policy change directly affects OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot, two popular chatbots that will be forced to leave WhatsApp. According to the new terms of service, Meta will no longer allow AI companies to use its commercial solutions as a platform to operate their own chatbots, especially for those whose main product is AI.

Before the ban takes effect, ChatGPT users can still continue to use its service on WhatsApp and have the opportunity to retain their chat history through the account linking feature. However, Copilot users will not be able to do this and will not be able to save their previous conversations. This ban may also affect other AI service providers, such as Perplexity, which may also have to leave WhatsApp.

Once the ban officially takes effect, Meta's AI services will become the only general AI chatbot on WhatsApp. Currently, Meta's AI services are based on the Llama model, although its performance is controversial, it will be the only option for users on WhatsApp. Meta's decision has drawn widespread attention, with many users expressing regret, believing that this limits their choices and prevents them from enjoying a richer AI service experience.

The core purpose of Meta's move is to enhance the market competitiveness of its AI products and, to some extent, control the AI ecosystem on the WhatsApp platform. This change may alter user habits and impact the future development of AI.

Key Points:   

🚫 Meta will prohibit competing AI chatbots from using WhatsApp, and ChatGPT and Copilot will withdraw in 2026.   

🔗 ChatGPT users can retain chat history, but Copilot users have no such option.   

🤖 Meta's AI services will become the only general chatbot on WhatsApp, based on the Llama model.