Brazil Tells Meta to Halt Ban on Third-Party AI Chatbots for WhatsApp
Brazil has ordered Meta to pause its ban on third-party AI chatbots for WhatsApp while investigating if the policy is unfair.
The watchdog, called CADE, said it may have found evidence that the new WhatsApp Business terms give unfair advantages to Meta’s own AI chatbot. They are checking if Meta’s rules make it harder for other AI companies to offer their chatbots on WhatsApp.
Back in October, Meta changed its rules, saying that from January 15, companies like OpenAI and Microsoft could not offer their chatbots on WhatsApp. However, businesses can still use their own chatbots to help customers.
CADE is also looking into similar bans by the European Union and Italy. If they find that Meta has broken any rules, the company could face big fines.
Meta has told developers that AI chatbots can still work in Italy after the rules take effect. After Brazil’s order, the company may decide to do the same there.
Meta claims that third-party AI chatbots can slow down its systems, which are meant for different uses. They say people who want to use chatbots can find them outside WhatsApp. A Meta spokesperson explained that the WhatsApp Business API mostly helps businesses with customer support.