TABLE OF CONTENTS
Official Announcement: Updates to WhatsApp Business Solution Terms
Effective Date: January 15, 2026
Meta has announced important updates to the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, which will take effect on January 15, 2026. These terms outline the responsibilities, data usage policies, and restrictions for businesses using the WhatsApp Business Solution (WABS) to communicate with customers.
The updated Terms are designed to strengthen compliance, clarify third-party provider responsibilities, and set clear boundaries around the use of AI technologies on the WhatsApp platform.
Compliance Requirements
Businesses using the WhatsApp Business Solution must adhere to:
All technical and product documentation provided by Meta or WhatsApp, and
The WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
These guidelines ensure proper use of the platform and maintain consistency with WhatsApp’s communication standards.
Administrator Responsibilities
Each WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) must have an active administrator responsible for managing account access, configuration, and compliance. This ensures ongoing oversight and adherence to Meta’s operational requirements.
Use of Third-Party Service Providers
Businesses may engage Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs) to manage their WhatsApp Business integrations. However, strict conditions apply:
TPSPs must operate solely on behalf of the business, following written authorization and instructions.
They must implement industry-standard security, privacy, and data protection measures.
Businesses remain fully responsible and liable for any actions or breaches committed by their TPSPs.
Any violation of these requirements by a third party will be treated as a breach by the business itself.
Restrictions on AI Providers
The updated Terms introduce significant changes concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies.
Meta now prohibits AI providers — including large language models (LLMs), generative AI platforms, and general-purpose assistants — from using the WhatsApp Business Solution if their primary function is to provide or distribute AI technologies to users.
Key highlights include:
AI companies cannot use WhatsApp as a channel for offering standalone AI assistants or chatbots.
Businesses may still use AI tools as part of their operations through approved third-party integrations, provided they comply with Meta’s terms.
WhatsApp Business data cannot be used to train or develop AI models, including aggregated or anonymized data.
Fine-tuning AI models is permitted only for internal, exclusive use, without contributing data to any broader AI system.
Meta reserves the right to terminate accounts that breach these AI-related restrictions.
Data Usage and Sharing Restrictions
Businesses are strictly prohibited from:
Using WhatsApp Business data to create or enhance user profiles.
Sharing, selling, or licensing WhatsApp Business data to third parties, except as authorized under these Terms.
Any misuse or unauthorized data transfer may result in account termination and loss of access to the WhatsApp Business Solution.
Reporting Obligations
Meta may, from time to time, request reports regarding a business’s use of the WhatsApp Business Solution. These reports must be submitted within 30 days of the request date.
Future Changes to the Terms
Meta may update the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms periodically. Continued use of the platform after any modification will signify consent to the updated Terms.
Effective Date
These changes take effect on January 15, 2026. Businesses are encouraged to review their integrations, data practices, and AI partnerships in advance to ensure full compliance with the updated Terms.
For detailed documentation and compliance resources, please refer to Meta’s official WhatsApp Business documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is changing with WhatsApp’s Business Solution Terms in 2026?
Beginning January 15, 2026, Meta is updating the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms to strengthen compliance and clarify usage rules. The key changes include stricter data protection requirements, new AI provider restrictions, and clearer responsibilities for third-party service providers.
2. Can businesses still use AI chatbots on WhatsApp?
✅ Yes. Businesses can continue to use AI chatbots for customer service, support, and engagement.
❌ However, WhatsApp will ban standalone AI assistants (such as ChatGPT-like bots) that allow users to chat directly with an AI for general purposes. AI can only be used as part of a business service, not as an independent product.
3. How do the new rules affect third-party service providers?
Businesses can still work with Third-Party Service Providers (TPSPs) like CRM or automation platforms. However, those providers must:
Process data only under the business’s instruction.
Maintain industry-standard security and privacy safeguards.
Comply with all data protection laws.
The business remains fully liable for any breaches by its service provider.
4. What are the new data-sharing restrictions?
Businesses are not allowed to:
Use WhatsApp Business data to build or enhance user profiles.
Share, sell, or distribute WhatsApp data to other third parties.
Only authorized third-party service providers may access data under strict compliance rules. Violations can result in account termination.
5. What steps should businesses take to prepare?
Before January 15, 2026, businesses should:
Review all integrations and data-handling practices.
Ensure any AI or third-party providers meet Meta’s compliance standards.
Assign an active administrator to oversee the WhatsApp Business Account.
Refrain from using WhatsApp Business data for any purpose beyond customer communication.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article