Microsoft’s AI chatbot Copilot will officially cease operations on WhatsApp as of January 15, following the company’s announcement. After this date, WhatsApp users will no longer have the option to engage with the AI unless they transition to Microsoft’s dedicated Copilot mobile applications or access the chatbot through the web platform.
The decision stems from WhatsApp’s updated platform policies, revealed last month, which aim to eliminate support for general-purpose AI chatbots utilizing the WhatsApp Business API. According to Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, this strategic shift intends to allocate resources to other business types, effectively ending the use of WhatsApp as a distribution channel for AI chatbots. As a result, this policy change will impact various companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Perplexity, among others.
OpenAI previously indicated plans to discontinue its own WhatsApp integration in January. For existing Copilot users on WhatsApp, it’s important to note that chat history will not transfer to Microsoft’s platform, as access on WhatsApp was authenticated only informally. To retain important conversations, Microsoft advises users to export their chat history using WhatsApp’s built-in tools prior to the January 15 deadline.
In summary:
- Departure Date: Copilot will exit WhatsApp on January 15.
- Post-Departure Options: Users can switch to Microsoft Copilot mobile apps or web access.
- Policy Change: WhatsApp restricts general-purpose AI chatbot use on its Business API.
- History Concerns: Chat history will not be preserved; users should export conversations before the deadline.
