Microsoft Copilot AI Exits WhatsApp on January 15
▼ Summary
– Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot will no longer be accessible on WhatsApp after January 15.
– This removal is due to WhatsApp’s revised platform policies that no longer support general-purpose AI chatbots using its Business API.
– WhatsApp now reserves its Business API resources for other types of businesses rather than AI chatbot distribution.
– Copilot users on WhatsApp cannot transfer their chat history to Microsoft’s platform because the access was unauthenticated.
– Microsoft advises users to export their conversations using WhatsApp’s built-in tools before the January 15 deadline.
Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant will cease functioning on the WhatsApp platform starting January 15, marking a significant shift for users who have relied on the chatbot within the popular messaging app. Following this date, individuals hoping to interact with Copilot will need to transition to Microsoft’s dedicated mobile applications or access the service through its web interface. This change comes as a direct result of updated policies on the WhatsApp platform.
The decision to remove Copilot stems from revisions to WhatsApp’s platform policies that were communicated last month. Owned by Meta, WhatsApp declared it would discontinue support for general-purpose AI chatbots utilizing its WhatsApp Business API. The platform is reallocating these resources to cater more specifically to other business types. It is important to note that this policy adjustment does not prevent companies from deploying AI tools to assist their own clientele. However, it effectively closes WhatsApp as a distribution channel for third-party AI services, a move that impacts several technology firms, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Perplexity.
OpenAI had previously revealed its own plans to discontinue its WhatsApp integration, also scheduled for January.
A notable drawback for current Copilot users on WhatsApp is that their entire chat history with the AI will not be preserved after the transition. This is because the chatbot was accessed on WhatsApp without user authentication. Microsoft is advising users who wish to keep a record of their past conversations to export them using WhatsApp’s native export functionality before the January 15 cutoff. This ensures they have a personal copy for future reference once the service is no longer available on the platform.
(Source: TechCrunch)
