HomeWhatsApp Opens Platform to Rival AI Chatbots in Brazil
Meta is now permitting rival AI companies to offer their chatbots on WhatsApp to Brazilian users for a fee. This move comes just a day after the company confirmed a similar policy for users in Europe.
This week, Brazil's antitrust regulator, CADE, ruled against Meta and denied its appeal to block an earlier order. That order suspended Meta's policy change aimed at restricting third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp.
"After reviewing the case, the CADE Tribunal concluded that the requirements for upholding the preventive measure were met. Case rapporteur Councilor Carlos Jacques noted evidence of legal plausibility, given WhatsApp's significant role in Brazil's instant messaging market," the CADE ruling stated.
The regulator further added that prohibiting third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp "would be disproportionate" and risked causing harm to market competition.
In response, Meta stated it would allow third-party AI chatbot providers to utilize its WhatsApp Business API to deliver their services on the app for a fee, in jurisdictions where legally mandated. In Brazil, the company will charge $0.0625 per "non-template message" starting March 11.
"In regions where we are legally obligated to provide AI chatbots through the WhatsApp Business API, we are implementing pricing for companies that opt to use our platform for these services," a Meta spokesperson said.
Meta first announced this policy shift in October, triggering multiple antitrust investigations. This scrutiny intensified because Meta offers its own AI assistant, Meta AI, within WhatsApp. The company has defended its position, stating its WhatsApp Business API was not originally built for AI chatbots and that they place a significant load on its systems.
Although Meta is now permitting third-party chatbots in some regions due to regulations, developers have told TechCrunch they are cautious about resuming services. They cite Meta's pricing as prohibitively high, which could lead to substantial operational costs.
Zapia, one of the companies that filed the complaint with CADE in Brazil, praised the regulator's decision.
"This is about fostering competition and preventing dominant companies from stifling how innovation reaches users. At Zapia, we believe people should have the freedom to choose their AI tools, and innovation flourishes only when the everyday platforms people depend on remain open. We will continue to challenge these restrictions across Latin America and now look forward to seeing how Meta adjusts its policies in Brazil to comply with the ruling," the company said in a statement.
Related article
Frontier AI Labs Refuse to Disclose Containment Strategies for Rogue Models
Recent research indicates that very few leading AI laboratories have published or demonstrated containment response plans. A containment plan defines the procedures for when an AI system attempts to subvert human control, specifying which access righ
Does Mark Zuckerberg Really Believe AI Is for Everyone?
Loading the player…Meta introduced Glimmer this week, an open-weight AI model that anyone can download and run on personal hardware—a sharp contrast to Muse Spark, the company’s more powerful model, which remains locked behind its own APIs. The relea
Facebook launches AI companion app for creators
Facebook revealed on Wednesday that it is transforming its Creator Studio into a dedicated AI companion app, empowering creators to expand their reach on the platform.By providing this AI-driven tool, Meta aims to retain creators on Facebook amid int
Related Special Topic Recommendations
Education and Learning
AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Music composition
AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hooks, Toplines, and Multilingual Draft Sessions
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
Business
Best AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
Image editing
Photoshop AI Retouch Tools for Ecommerce Apparel, Skin Cleanup, and Color Consistency
2026 Latest Best Photoshop AI retouch tools for ecommerce apparel, skin cleanup, and color consistency! This top-rated curated list features powerful game-changing solutions that help you boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and achieve perfect visual results effortlessly. Each tool has undergone real-world tests through weekly updated rankings, complete with free vs paid comparison details. Backed by XIX.AI, it’s the must-try guide for anyone aiming to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Prompt
Best AI Prompt Libraries for ChatGPT Workflows
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Prompt Libraries for optimizing all types of ChatGPT workflows. XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to ensure top performance. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons and expert rankings to help you choose the must-try tools that boost your productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
AI Quiz Builder Platforms for Teachers, Tutors, and Cohort-Based Learning Programs
2026 Latest Best AI Quiz Builder Platforms for Teachers, Tutors, and Cohort-Based Learning Programs! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through real-world tests to deliver accurate rankings. These must-try platforms help boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and simplify quiz design across all learning scenarios. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge in teaching!
13 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
Meta is now permitting rival AI companies to offer their chatbots on WhatsApp to Brazilian users for a fee. This move comes just a day after the company confirmed a similar policy for users in Europe.
This week, Brazil's antitrust regulator, CADE, ruled against Meta and denied its appeal to block an earlier order. That order suspended Meta's policy change aimed at restricting third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp.
"After reviewing the case, the CADE Tribunal concluded that the requirements for upholding the preventive measure were met. Case rapporteur Councilor Carlos Jacques noted evidence of legal plausibility, given WhatsApp's significant role in Brazil's instant messaging market," the CADE ruling stated.
The regulator further added that prohibiting third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp "would be disproportionate" and risked causing harm to market competition.
In response, Meta stated it would allow third-party AI chatbot providers to utilize its WhatsApp Business API to deliver their services on the app for a fee, in jurisdictions where legally mandated. In Brazil, the company will charge $0.0625 per "non-template message" starting March 11.
"In regions where we are legally obligated to provide AI chatbots through the WhatsApp Business API, we are implementing pricing for companies that opt to use our platform for these services," a Meta spokesperson said.
Meta first announced this policy shift in October, triggering multiple antitrust investigations. This scrutiny intensified because Meta offers its own AI assistant, Meta AI, within WhatsApp. The company has defended its position, stating its WhatsApp Business API was not originally built for AI chatbots and that they place a significant load on its systems.
Although Meta is now permitting third-party chatbots in some regions due to regulations, developers have told TechCrunch they are cautious about resuming services. They cite Meta's pricing as prohibitively high, which could lead to substantial operational costs.
Zapia, one of the companies that filed the complaint with CADE in Brazil, praised the regulator's decision.
"This is about fostering competition and preventing dominant companies from stifling how innovation reaches users. At Zapia, we believe people should have the freedom to choose their AI tools, and innovation flourishes only when the everyday platforms people depend on remain open. We will continue to challenge these restrictions across Latin America and now look forward to seeing how Meta adjusts its policies in Brazil to comply with the ruling," the company said in a statement.
Frontier AI Labs Refuse to Disclose Containment Strategies for Rogue Models
Recent research indicates that very few leading AI laboratories have published or demonstrated containment response plans. A containment plan defines the procedures for when an AI system attempts to subvert human control, specifying which access righ
Does Mark Zuckerberg Really Believe AI Is for Everyone?
Loading the player…Meta introduced Glimmer this week, an open-weight AI model that anyone can download and run on personal hardware—a sharp contrast to Muse Spark, the company’s more powerful model, which remains locked behind its own APIs. The relea
Facebook launches AI companion app for creators
Facebook revealed on Wednesday that it is transforming its Creator Studio into a dedicated AI companion app, empowering creators to expand their reach on the platform.By providing this AI-driven tool, Meta aims to retain creators on Facebook amid int
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Photoshop AI retouch tools for ecommerce apparel, skin cleanup, and color consistency! This top-rated curated list features powerful game-changing solutions that help you boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and achieve perfect visual results effortlessly. Each tool has undergone real-world tests through weekly updated rankings, complete with free vs paid comparison details. Backed by XIX.AI, it’s the must-try guide for anyone aiming to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Prompt Libraries for optimizing all types of ChatGPT workflows. XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to ensure top performance. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons and expert rankings to help you choose the must-try tools that boost your productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Quiz Builder Platforms for Teachers, Tutors, and Cohort-Based Learning Programs! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through real-world tests to deliver accurate rankings. These must-try platforms help boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and simplify quiz design across all learning scenarios. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for unlocking your AI edge in teaching!
13 tools
xix.ai
