Brazil's competition watchdog has ordered WhatsApp to put on hold its policy that bars third-party AI companies from using its business API to offer chatbots on the app. The agency has also started an investigation against the company to determine if the policy is anti-competitive.
For the Legal & Professional Services sector, this could drive the need for more legal expertise in competition law related to AI, data privacy compliance for AI chatbots, and the ethics of automated communication with clients. The Government & Public Sector faces the challenge of regulating the AI chatbot market, while Cybersecurity & AI Safety sectors must address the potential security vulnerabilities introduced by allowing third-party AI integrations into WhatsApp.
Businesses relying on or developing AI chatbots for customer interaction via WhatsApp will need to reassess their strategies. Those previously excluded from the platform now have a potential entry point. This may require adapting existing AI models or developing new integrations to capitalize on the altered landscape. Legal and compliance departments will need to monitor the ongoing investigation.