TLDRs;
- OpenAI will end ChatGPT support on WhatsApp by January 15, 2026, due to Meta’s new policy restrictions.
- Users should link WhatsApp accounts to ChatGPT before the deadline to preserve chat continuity.
- The new WhatsApp Business API rules ban general-purpose AI chatbots but allow service-based automation.
- Telegram may gain displaced AI users, positioning itself as the next major hub for AI interactions.
OpenAI has announced it will discontinue ChatGPT support on WhatsApp starting January 15, 2026, following a new policy update by Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company.
The decision, announced Tuesday comes after Meta revised the WhatsApp Business API terms, prohibiting the use of general-purpose AI chatbots through its business messaging platform.
The move will end one of the most seamless integrations that allowed users to chat with ChatGPT directly on WhatsApp. Until the cutoff date, users can continue to interact with ChatGPT normally. Afterward, OpenAI will require users to link their WhatsApp accounts to ChatGPT on supported platforms like iOS, Android, macOS, and the web to retain their data continuity.
How Users Can Transition Smoothly
OpenAI recommends users link their WhatsApp accounts to their ChatGPT profiles before the deadline. Once linked, users’ phone numbers and previous WhatsApp chat history will appear in ChatGPT’s history tab. However, new messages sent through WhatsApp after January 15, 2026, will no longer sync automatically.
The company noted that WhatsApp does not currently allow chat exports to third-party apps, making it crucial for users to act early. OpenAI emphasized that chat continuity and personalization will remain intact for those who connect their accounts in time.
Despite the discontinuation, ChatGPT will remain accessible through its dedicated apps and website. The change affects only Business API-based integrations, meaning personal WhatsApp users will not experience disruptions in their everyday use of Meta’s own AI features.
Meta Tightens Control Over AI Chatbots
Meta’s new restrictions target general-purpose AI bots on its Business API, the platform used by companies for customer messaging and automation. Under the revised policy, AI chatbots can no longer serve as the primary function in business messaging channels.
Businesses are still allowed to use AI tools for support tasks such as travel bookings, e-commerce assistance, or customer service automation, but not for open-ended conversations like those ChatGPT offers.
The shift effectively cements Meta AI as the sole general-purpose assistant within WhatsApp’s ecosystem. With WhatsApp boasting over 3 billion users globally, Meta’s move consolidates its dominance over how AI interactions occur within its messaging network.
Meta’s Business API remains a lucrative service, generating revenue through tiered message-based pricing and standardized templates. However, this policy change signals the company’s intent to maintain tighter control over third-party AI experiences while prioritizing its in-house technologies.
Telegram Emerges as an AI Haven
The discontinuation could push millions of AI users and developers toward alternative messaging platforms, with Telegram emerging as a top contender. Telegram currently holds a 43.36% global device penetration rate and attracts around 28 million monthly downloads as of August 2025.
The platform leads in regions like Eastern Europe, Russia, China, and parts of Asia, where AI-based integrations face fewer restrictions. For OpenAI and similar developers, this offers a valuable migration path to maintain user engagement outside Meta’s ecosystem.
Investors are also taking note of this potential shift. With apps like Snapchat generating $50.83 million monthly from in-app purchases and Telegram making $19.91 million, analysts see room for AI-driven monetization through premium chat features, subscriptions, and custom assistants.
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