WhatsApp’s 2026 AI chatbot policy: what’s banned and what’s still allowed
Meta now prohibits general-purpose AI assistants on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Business-specific automation — support, bookings, order updates — is fine. Here’s the line.
Meta updated the WhatsApp Business Platform terms to bar general-purpose AI chatbots. The rule applied to new users from October 15, 2025, and to existing users from January 15, 2026. Well-known assistants that ran as WhatsApp contacts had to leave the platform.
What’s not allowed
Services where the AI is the product itself — open-ended assistants that answer anything, generate content on demand or act as a conversation companion — are no longer permitted on the Business Platform.
What’s still allowed
- Customer support bots that answer questions about your products and services.
- Booking, appointment and reminder flows.
- Order tracking, delivery updates and notifications.
- Sales assistance and lead capture for your own business.
Is the automation supporting a real business service you provide? If yes, you’re on the right side of the line. If the chatbot is the service, you’re not.
Automation in ThreadWave
ThreadWave’s automations are business-specific by design: keyword auto-replies for prices and hours, routing rules, and WhatsApp Flows for bookings and lead capture — with a human always one click away.