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As reported by Techcrunch
WhatsApp is allowing AI providers to continue delivering chatbots to users with Brazilian numbers, even though the regulator has ordered halting the new policy governing third-party general‑purpose chatbots via the platform’s Business API.
The new policy introduces a 90-day transition period starting January 15 for AI developers and providers: they must stop responding to user inquiries in the chat app and alert users that their chatbots will no longer work on WhatsApp.
According to a notice to AI providers, Meta said they are not required to notify users with Brazilian country code (+55) about the changes or to suspend services.
“These statements are fundamentally false,” commented a WhatsApp spokesperson in response to the investigation. “The emergence of AI-powered chatbots on our Business API creates a load on systems that they were not designed to support. The path to the market for AI companies is their own app stores, their websites, and industry partnerships; not the WhatsApp Business platform.”
“The emergence of AI-powered chatbots on our Business API creates strain on systems they were not designed to support. This logic implies that WhatsApp is a de facto app store. The path to the market for AI companies is their own app stores, their websites, and industry partnerships; not the WhatsApp Business platform.”
WhatsApp did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of the decision.
The new policy affects general chatbots on the platform, including well-known solutions such as ChatGPT and Grok. However, it does not prohibit companies from delivering customer service through bots on WhatsApp.
Brazil’s antitrust authorities will consider whether Meta’s terms hinder competition and whether they favor in-house solutions – the Meta AI chatbot available through WhatsApp.
Previously, Meta had introduced similar exemptions for users in Italy after regulator statements, and the European Union has also opened an antitrust investigation into the new rules.
The company emphasizes that AI-powered chatbots place a load on systems designed for other use cases of its Business API. In earlier statements, Meta even noted that those wishing to use different chatbots could do so outside WhatsApp.
“These claims are fundamentally incorrect,” commented a WhatsApp spokesperson in response to the investigation. “The appearance of chatbots on our Business API creates a load on systems they were not designed to support. The market path for AI companies is their own app stores, their websites, and industry partnerships; not the WhatsApp Business platform.”
Ivan highlights global trends in consumer technology. He is based in India and has previously worked for the Huffington Post and The Next Web. You can reach Ivan at [email protected] or via an encrypted message on Signal: ivan.42.
Additional information and an announcement in San Francisco, October 13–15, 2026.
“The emergence of AI-powered chatbots on our Business API creates strain on systems they were not designed to support. This logic implies that WhatsApp is a de facto app store. The path to the market for AI companies is their own app stores, their websites, and industry partnerships; not the WhatsApp Business platform.”
