WhatsApp has decided to permit AI providers to maintain their chatbot services for users with Brazilian phone numbers, despite a recent directive from Brazil’s competition regulator. The company faced an order to halt its new policy that restricted third-party chatbots on the app, but it is now offering a 90-day grace period for developers and AI providers in Brazil.
Initially, WhatsApp mandated developers to stop responding to user queries via chatbots and inform users of the change. However, Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has exempted AI providers from notifying users with Brazilian phone numbers (+55) about any alterations or discontinuation of services, according to a notice obtained by TechCrunch.
The exclusionary policy, effective immediately, impacts general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok on the platform. Notably, businesses can still utilize chatbots for customer service within WhatsApp for their own customers. The Brazilian competition agency is investigating whether Meta’s terms unfairly benefit its own chatbot, potentially giving it a competitive edge over other providers.
Source: TechCrunch