ChatGPT and Copilot are being booted out of WhatsApp
OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot are set to be removed from WhatsApp due to the messaging app's updated terms of service, which will restrict the distribution of AI chatbots not developed by Meta. This shift signals a move by Meta to exert greater control over its platform and prioritize its own AI offerings, affecting the competitive landscape for AI-powered services. The changes will take effect on January 15th, 2026, giving users of the affected chatbots several months to transition. The new terms, announced in October, specifically prohibit AI companies from using WhatsApp's business API to distribute their chatbots. This move will impact other third-party AI chatbots that have leveraged the platform for customer reach. ChatGPT users will have the option to migrate their chat history, while Copilot users will not. The move by Meta aims to refocus the WhatsApp Business API on supporting businesses that offer customer service and updates rather than providing a distribution channel for competing AI products. This decision underscores Meta's intent to keep its own AI assistant, Meta AI, as the sole AI chatbot option on its platform. This could affect the accessibility of different AI tools for users. This is part of a larger trend of digital platform consolidation as big tech companies seek to control their ecosystems. This could lead to a more closed environment with fewer options for users and potentially hinder the advancement of open AI models in the European market.
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