In a significant move that will reshape the artificial intelligence landscape on messaging platforms, WhatsApp will remove popular AI chatbots ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot from its service starting January 15, 2026. This dramatic change comes as a direct result of Meta's updated platform policies that effectively prohibit competing AI services from operating on the world's most popular messaging application.
Meta's Policy Shift: The End of Third-Party AI on WhatsApp
The policy transformation was first announced in October 2025 and specifically targets AI companies that use WhatsApp's business API as a distribution channel for their core artificial intelligence products. The revised Business Solution Terms, which took effect on October 28, 2025, prevent AI providers including developers of large language models and generative AI platforms from accessing WhatsApp's infrastructure when artificial intelligence constitutes their primary offering.
A Meta spokesperson clarified that the policy aims to support legitimate businesses using WhatsApp for customer service and relevant updates, rather than serving as a distribution platform for competing AI products. This strategic move effectively leaves Meta AI as the exclusive chatbot option available to WhatsApp's massive user base beginning mid-January 2026.
Major AI Players Exit: User Impact and Statistics
The policy change has already triggered significant departures from leading AI companies. OpenAI announced its exit in late October 2025, revealing a staggering statistic that over 50 million users had actively engaged with ChatGPT through WhatsApp. Microsoft followed with its own announcement on November 24, confirming that Copilot would also discontinue service on the same January 15, 2026 deadline.
Both technology giants attributed their decisions directly to WhatsApp's revised terms of service. Industry observers expect other third-party AI assistants, including Perplexity, to announce similar departures in the coming weeks. However, the policy does provide an exception for businesses deploying customer service chatbots where artificial intelligence plays a supporting rather than primary role.
How to Preserve Your AI Chat History Before the Deadline
For users who have built extensive conversations with these AI assistants, there are methods to save chat histories before the January 15 cutoff. ChatGPT users can link their WhatsApp conversations to a ChatGPT account to preserve their entire chat history, with the service remaining fully accessible until the deadline.
Microsoft Copilot users face a different situation, as they lack a direct transfer option. However, they can export their conversations using WhatsApp's built-in export tools before the service ends. Both companies are actively directing users toward their native applications and web platforms, which offer expanded features beyond what was available through WhatsApp integration.
The Copilot mobile app and website provide comprehensive features including voice, vision, and companion capabilities. Similarly, ChatGPT offers advanced functionality such as voice conversations, deep research capabilities, and file uploads across iOS, Android, web, and MacOS platforms.
This significant policy shift represents a major consolidation of artificial intelligence services within Meta's ecosystem and marks the end of an era where multiple AI assistants coexisted on the popular messaging platform. Users have approximately one year to transition their AI interactions to alternative platforms before the January 15, 2026 implementation date.
