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WhatsApp does appear to have some "business" account/API type stuff which I assume is scriptable. But I don't believe it's got a free tier for personal use (although I haven't personally looked).

It is always preferable to use WhatsApp to contact a business than calling up.

Yes, but it's nowhere near the maturity of Telegram's Bot API.

And unlike Telegram, for a WhatsApp bot you need to apply with a bunch of paperwork. If you're an SMB, you got little chances of ever getting access. They'll tell you to go with their Technology Partners and make a chatbot with these other BigTech companies like Freshworks, etc.

Hmmm no, Meta is making money from businesses using their API.

It's bad enough with fake profiles scamming and spamming people, would be a lot worse with more automation