EU May Stop Meta From Blocking AI Rivals on WhatsApp

The European Union is thinking about taking quick action to stop Meta from blocking AI chatbots from other companies on WhatsApp. They want to make sure it's fair for everyone. Meta has been told they might be breaking rules and needs to reply.
By Newsroom | Technology, Europe |

Recent actions by Meta Platforms to limit the integration of rival artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots on its WhatsApp messaging service have prompted a strong regulatory response from the European Commission. The bloc is now considering interim measures – temporary restrictions – to ensure fair competition while its formal investigation proceeds. This move underscores Europe's escalating scrutiny of dominant tech companies and their practices in the burgeoning AI sector.

Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies

The European Commission has initiated a formal antitrust investigation into Meta's recent policy change, which appears to prevent third-party AI developers from using the WhatsApp Business Solution to offer their services if AI is their primary function. Simultaneously, Meta’s own AI assistant, Meta AI, remains fully integrated and accessible to WhatsApp users across European markets. This perceived disparity has raised concerns among regulators about Meta leveraging its dominant position on WhatsApp to gain an unfair advantage in the competitive AI landscape.

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"We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage." - EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera

Timeline of Events and Key Actors

  • Early 2025 (January/March): Meta implements a policy change affecting the WhatsApp Business API, which competition authorities believe restricts rival AI chatbots. Meta AI is integrated into WhatsApp around this time.

  • December 4, 2025: The European Commission officially launches an antitrust investigation into Meta's policy.

  • December 5, 2025: Reports emerge of the EU Commission informing Meta of its intention to impose interim measures to preserve competition.

  • December 24, 2025: Italy's Competition Authority (AGCM) orders Meta to suspend its policy banning rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp, citing potential abuse of dominant market position.

  • Recent Days (Early February 2026): The EU Commission reiterates its threat of temporary measures, pending Meta's response and its right to defense.

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Key Actors:

  • Meta Platforms: The social media giant and owner of WhatsApp.

  • European Commission: The executive arm of the EU, responsible for enforcing competition law.

  • Italy's Competition Authority (AGCM): The Italian national competition regulator.

  • Rival AI Developers: Companies such as OpenAI (ChatGPT) and Microsoft (Copilot) reportedly ceasing operations via the WhatsApp Business platform due to Meta's policy.

Evidence of Concern

Regulators have formally accused Meta of violating EU antitrust rules. A statement of objections, akin to a charge sheet, has been sent to the company. The core of the Commission's concern is that Meta's policy allegedly prevents competing AI providers from reaching customers via WhatsApp, thereby granting its own product a significant and potentially unjustified market boost.

EU threatens temporary measures to stop Meta blocking AI rivals from WhatsApp - 1

  • The EU Commission has issued a formal statement of objections to Meta for violating competition rules.

  • Rival AI chatbots, including ChatGPT and Copilot, have reportedly stopped operating via the WhatsApp Business platform following Meta's policy change.

  • The Italian AGCM found sufficient cause in its investigation to order a suspension of Meta's policy, viewing WhatsApp as a de facto app store.

Meta's Position and Defense

Meta maintains that its actions do not warrant intervention from the EU. The company asserts that the AI market is already highly competitive, and consumers have numerous avenues to access AI services outside of WhatsApp, including app stores, operating systems, devices, websites, and industry partnerships.

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"There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating systems, devices, websites and industry partnerships." - Meta spokesperson

Implications for Competition and Market Access

The EU's potential imposition of interim measures signals a determination to safeguard competition in the nascent AI sector. Such measures would aim to restore the status quo, requiring Meta to permit third-party AI assistants access to WhatsApp under previous terms while the investigation continues. This approach is intended to prevent irreparable harm to competition in Europe that could result from Meta's current policy.

  • Preserving Competition: Interim measures aim to maintain access for competitors to WhatsApp's platform, preventing Meta from consolidating an unfair advantage.

  • Defining "App Store": Italy's perspective that WhatsApp functions as a "de facto app store" for AI services could shape future regulatory interpretations.

  • Global Regulatory Trend: The dispute reflects a broader trend of increased regulatory pressure on major technology firms concerning market dominance and access in emerging technological fields like AI.

Expert Analysis

Legal and competition experts observe that the EU's stance highlights its commitment to enforcing its digital single market rules. The consideration of interim measures is a significant step, indicating the Commission's belief that Meta's policy poses an immediate threat to competitive dynamics. The challenge for Meta will be to demonstrate that its actions do not constitute an abuse of dominance, particularly given the integration of its own AI service within a platform widely used for communication.

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  • The EU's readiness to impose interim measures demonstrates its proactive approach to policing emerging markets.

  • Meta faces the task of justifying its policy within the framework of EU competition law, particularly concerning platform access and self-preferencing.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The European Commission's investigation into Meta's WhatsApp AI policy is ongoing. The Commission is actively considering the imposition of interim measures to prevent potential irreparable harm to competition. A decision on these measures is contingent upon Meta's response to the statement of objections and its exercise of its right to defense. This situation represents a critical juncture in the regulatory oversight of AI integration into widely used digital platforms.

  • The EU is weighing temporary restrictions to ensure fair access for rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp.

  • Meta has been formally notified of alleged antitrust violations and must respond to the Commission's concerns.

  • The outcome could influence how dominant platforms manage AI integrations and compete in the future.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Meta doing on WhatsApp?
Meta has made a rule that makes it hard for AI tools from other companies to work on WhatsApp. They are also adding their own AI tool, Meta AI.
Q: Why is the EU looking into this?
The EU thinks Meta might be using its power unfairly. They are worried Meta is helping its own AI tool by blocking others.
Q: What might the EU do?
The EU might put temporary rules in place to stop Meta's policy while they investigate. This would let other AI tools work on WhatsApp again.
Q: What does Meta say?
Meta says the AI market is very competitive and people can use AI in many other ways, not just on WhatsApp.