WhatsApp Closes Door to Competing AIs: ChatGPT and Copilot Leave the Platform
The messaging landscape is set for a significant digital geopolitical shift. OpenAI and Microsoft have both confirmed that ChatGPT and Copilot will exit WhatsApp in early 2026. This decision was not made voluntarily; instead, Meta has chosen to restrict their access.
A major change to the Terms of Service for WhatsApp Business Solutions will take effect on January 15, 2026: it now prohibits using the platform to distribute AI chatbots if the AI is the primary product, except for AI developed by Meta.
In simple terms, Meta is locking down WhatsApp for its own AI while competitors must leave.
ChatGPT and Copilot Out, Meta AI Stays — and Stands Alone
OpenAI announced its departure a few weeks ago, and Microsoft has now followed suit. Both companies explicitly cite the new WhatsApp rules as the reason for their exit. Until January 15, 2026, their bots will remain accessible, but afterward:
- ChatGPT will disappear from WhatsApp
- Copilot will also be removed
- And Meta AI will become the only natively available AI on the platform
OpenAI emphasizes that users can link their ChatGPT accounts to WhatsApp to retain their chat history after their exit.
In contrast, Microsoft will not offer a migration option for Copilot, leaving users to start anew elsewhere.
The New WhatsApp Rule: Protecting Its Turf Against “AI Products”
Meta had announced this change in October, and the wording is very clear: businesses are permitted to use WhatsApp for customer support or service bots. However, it is prohibited to use WhatsApp to distribute an AI that is itself a product.
An anonymous Meta spokesperson summarized it to TechCrunch: “The WhatsApp Business API is designed for customer support. We aim to assist the thousands of businesses creating this type of experience.”
The strategic translation? Meta refuses to let its competitors use WhatsApp — one of the world’s largest communication networks — as a distribution channel for their AIs.
What’s Next? Perplexity, Claude, Mistral… All in the Hot Seat
This ban isn’t limited to OpenAI and Microsoft. All players in the “consumer-facing” generative AI space will be impacted: Perplexity, Anthropic (Claude), Mistral, xAI (Grok), and any other AI potentially distributed through WhatsApp.
We can expect a series of withdrawal announcements in the coming weeks.
By January, Meta AI will stand alone on WhatsApp — a colossal strategic lever to impose its AI models on billions of messaging users.
A Strategic Maneuver — and a Significant Precedent
This change signifies a pivotal moment in the AI race. Meta is not just competing in terms of model quality; it is aggressively guarding its platforms and blocking access to its rivals where it holds unrivaled distribution advantages.
Where Apple locks down its ecosystem, Meta is securing WhatsApp — its most universally used asset.
The message is clear: If you want to reach WhatsApp users, you’ll need to go through Meta AI.
