Messaging giant will phase out third-party AI assistants as Meta pushes
its own ecosystem and tighter control of automated tools.
WhatsApp plans to remove access to bots powered by ChatGPT and Copilot by January 15, 2026, as part of a shift away from third-party AI integrations.
The move reflects Meta’s changing strategy around AI assistants and platform control.
WhatsApp will no longer allow third-party AI bots such as ChatGPT and Copilot on its platform starting January 15, 2026, according to a policy shift from parent company Meta. The decision effectively ends one of the fastest-growing use cases on the app: conversational AI assistants embedded in chats and groups. Meta is reportedly moving to standardize AI services within its own ecosystem, giving priority to in-house tools and approved partners.
The company has framed the change as a way to improve user safety, data security and consistency in how AI is deployed on the platform.For developers and businesses that rely on external large language models, the removal of these bots could disrupt customer service workflows, marketing funnels and automated support channels built around WhatsApp.
Many may now face pressure to migrate users to alternative apps or rebuild their systems around Meta’s preferred tools.Users who have grown accustomed to chatting with AI bots for assistance, learning and entertainment will see those integrations disabled early in 2026.
The shift underscores a broader industry trend: major platforms tightening control of their AI stacks and limiting third-party access to user conversations and behavioral data.
