Meta has announced that it will permit AI chatbot providers to offer their services on WhatsApp through its business API for the next 12 months in Europe. This decision follows the European Commission’s threat of imposing interim measures to halt Meta’s policy of excluding third-party AI chatbot providers from utilizing the WhatsApp Business API.
During this 12-month period, Meta will support general-purpose AI chatbots on WhatsApp, requiring a fee ranging from €0.0490 to €0.1323 per ‘non-template message,’ varying by country. This move aims to provide the European Commission with sufficient time to conclude its investigation without the need for immediate intervention.
The policy change, effective since January 15, has sparked concerns among AI assistant providers who argue that it disrupts their operations and is anti-competitive. However, businesses using AI for customer service on WhatsApp are exempt from this policy, allowing them to continue utilizing the API for their services.
While this decision opens up opportunities for AI chatbot providers, the associated fees could potentially pose financial challenges due to the cost per message. The European Commission is closely monitoring the impact of these changes on its ongoing investigations.
Source: TechCrunch