WhatsApp Allows AI Providers to Continue Offering Chatbots to Brazilian Users
WhatsApp has decided to allow AI providers to continue offering their chatbots to users with Brazilian phone numbers, despite facing regulatory challenges in the country. Just days after Brazil’s competition regulator ordered the company to suspend its new policy that prohibits third-party, general-purpose chatbots from being offered on the app through its business API, Meta (WhatsApp’s parent company) made a significant decision.
As per the new policy, developers and AI providers have been given a 90-day grace period starting from January 15 to stop responding to user queries on the chat app and notify users that their chatbots will no longer work on WhatsApp. However, Meta has informed developers that they do not need to notify users with Brazilian phone numbers (with code +55) of any changes or stop offering their services, as stated in a notice to AI providers seen by JS.
The notice reads, “The requirement to cease responding to user queries and implement pre-approved auto-reply language before January 15, 2026, no longer applies when messaging people with a Brazil country code (+55).” WhatsApp has not yet responded to requests for confirmation of this decision.
The policy, effective immediately, impacts general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok on the platform, while still allowing businesses to provide customer service via bots within WhatsApp to their customers. Brazil’s competition agency has announced that it will investigate whether Meta’s terms are exclusionary to competitors and unfairly favor Meta AI, the company’s chatbot offered on WhatsApp.
Exemptions and Investigations
This is not the first time Meta has faced regulatory challenges regarding its chatbot policy. Previously, the company provided a similar exemption to users in Italy after the country’s competition agency raised concerns. In addition, the European Union has launched an antitrust investigation into the new rules.
Meta has consistently defended its stance, arguing that AI chatbots are putting a strain on its systems that were not designed for such usage of its business API. A WhatsApp spokesperson refuted claims that the app is akin to an app store and emphasized that the primary route for AI companies to reach users is through app stores, websites, and industry partnerships, not the WhatsApp Business Platform.
Despite the ongoing regulatory scrutiny, WhatsApp’s decision to allow AI providers to continue offering chatbots to Brazilian users signifies a temporary reprieve for developers and users in the region.
