BRASILIA, December 26, 2025 — Brazil’s competition watchdog has temporarily blocked WhatsApp’s new policy restricting third-party AI chatbot developers from using its business API, signaling a growing global pushback against Meta’s control over artificial intelligence integration within its messaging platform.
AI Chatbot Access: Brazil Challenges WhatsApp’s New Rules
The decision by Brazil’s Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE) halts the implementation of WhatsApp’s policy while an investigation into potential anti-competitive practices is underway.
- CADE is investigating whether Meta’s terms unfairly favor its own AI chatbot, Meta AI.
- The policy, enacted last October, prevents companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and microsoft from offering their chatbots on WhatsApp.
- Similar antitrust investigations have been launched by the European Union and Italy.
According to CADE, the investigations reveal “possible anti-competitive conduct of an exclusive nature†stemming from the new WhatsApp Business Solution Terms imposed by Meta. The agency will determine if the terms unduly restrict access for AI tool providers seeking to offer their technologies to WhatsApp users.
Meta altered its terms of use for the WhatsApp Business API in October 2025, effectively banning third-party AI companies from deploying chatbots on the app. Following this change, OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft announced that their chatbots would cease functioning on WhatsApp starting January 15.It’s crucial to note that Meta’s policy does not prevent businesses from creating and using their own chatbots—AI-powered or or else—to interact with customers within WhatsApp.
Did you know? WhatsApp’s business API allows companies to communicate with customers, automate tasks, and provide support. It’s a key tool for businesses operating within the messaging app.
what are the potential consequences for Meta? If the European Union finds Meta in violation of its antitrust regulations, the company could face a ample fine—up to 10% of its total global revenue.
CADE’s action follows similar scrutiny from the European Union, which initiated its own antitrust investigation into the policy in December 2025, and Italy. Meta has already informed AI providers that they can continue offering their chatbots to users in Italy despite the January 15 enforcement date, and a similar accommodation in Brazil is now possible following CADE’s order.
Pro tip Businesses can still build and deploy their own chatbots on WhatsApp, even with the new restrictions on third-party developers. This allows for continued automated customer interaction.
Meta has consistently argued that the influx of AI chatbots is straining its systems, which were originally designed for different types of business API usage. the company has suggested that those seeking access to diverse chatbots can do so outside of the WhatsApp platform.
“The purpose of the WhatsApp Business API is to help businesses provide customer support and send relevant updates. Our focus is on supporting the tens of thousands of businesses who are building these experiences on WhatsApp,†a Meta spokesperson stated when the terms were revised in October.
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside of regular business hours.
Reader question How will these restrictions impact smaller businesses that rely on affordable,third-party chatbot solutions for customer service?
