Meta Grants Brazil Exemption in AI Chatbot Policy Clash: A Global Regulatory Rift

WhatsApp’s selective exemptions for Brazilian users in its AI chatbot crackdown reveal a global regulatory clash over platform control. The messaging giant has granted users with the +55 country code an exemption from its 90-day grace period for AI chatbots, a policy shift that has drawn scrutiny from Brazil’s competition regulator (CADE). The exemption, outlined in a notice to AI providers, states:

WhatsApp claims AI chatbots strain its systems, which it says were designed for business APIs, not 'a de facto app store.'

'The requirement to cease responding to user queries... no longer applies when messaging people with a Brazil country code (+55).'

This technical carve-out raises enforcement challenges for developers, who must now navigate region-specific compliance hurdles. Meta faces parallel antitrust investigations in the EU and Italy over the same policy, highlighting a growing rift between platform governance and regulatory expectations.

The exemption’s scope—limited to Brazil’s +55 code—exposes the tension between global tech firms and local regulators, as Meta defends its policy as a necessary measure to manage infrastructure strain.

Regulatory Hurdles

CADE’s probe centers on whether Meta’s policy unfairly advantages its own AI chatbot, Meta AI, while disadvantaging competitors.

The Brazilian regulator is examining potential violations of antitrust laws, particularly around market access and fair competition. Meanwhile, Meta’s assertion that AI chatbots overload its systems—despite the exemption—raises questions about the technical feasibility of its claims.

Developers report inconsistent enforcement, with some AI tools blocked globally while others persist in Brazil, complicating compliance efforts.

This regulatory overlap forces compliance officers to balance platform rules with local legal requirements, a challenge exacerbated by the lack of clear technical guidelines from Meta.