en.Wedoany.com Reported - OpenAI has reactivated ChatGPT on WhatsApp for users in the European Economic Area. Tweakers reported this news. Users can initiate conversations directly via the verified contact 1-800-CHATGPT (number +1-800-242-8478), but service availability depends on the country associated with the WhatsApp number and may be rolled out gradually.

Previously, this integration was halted due to Meta's changes to the WhatsApp Business API rules. In October 2025, OpenAI warned that ChatGPT would become unavailable on WhatsApp after January 15, 2026, due to new Meta terms restricting the operation of general-purpose AI chatbots within instant messaging tools.

The situation changed after the European Commission intervened. In June, regulators ordered Meta to temporarily restore free access for competing AI assistants to WhatsApp during an antitrust investigation. Brussels believes that blocking third-party chatbots could harm competition in the rapidly growing AI assistant market.

Meta disagrees with the decision and stated it will file an objection. The company argues that the Commission's request is a form of regulatory intervention that essentially forces WhatsApp to provide free services to large external players.

For users, the return of ChatGPT means AI assistants can be used directly within the instant messaging tool without needing to install a separate app. For the market, the signal from this incident is more significant: European regulators are beginning to view access to large communication platforms for AI services as a competition issue, rather than merely an internal policy of the app owner.