Meta Updates WhatsApp Policy: Regulated Sectors Can Now Advertise

The company has elaborated that the country is not on the list of places where alcohol is allowed for Whatsapp business messaging since advertising in any form, even surrogate, is absolutely not allowed.

Meta has revised the Whatsapp business messaging policy that now enables companies in regulated sectors such as alcohol, online gambling, and over-the-counter drugs to run promotional messages on its Whatsapp business messaging platform in India, APAC, and LATAM.

It was earlier reported that businesses in India could onboard WhatsApp Business Platform for sending out messages related to alcohol, real money gambling, and over-the-counter products beginning August 27, 2024.

Further guidance on regulated verticals in the updated policy states that within real money gambling and gaming, if the country or region concerned prohibits certain activities, such as gambling, games of chance, and/ or any other related activities, then the use of business messaging should not include such prohibited activities and should only include those activities which are lawful.

What’s more, according to the updated policy, WhatsApp business messaging that promotes online gambling and gaming needs to comply with all applicable local laws, required or established industry codes, guidelines, licenses, and must comply with age and country requirements consistent with applicable local laws. WhatsApp does not allow the sending of messaging to people under the age of 18 years old.