EU Orders Meta to Open WhatsApp to Rival AI Chatbots
The European Commission has ordered Meta to grant free access to its WhatsApp platform for rival AI chatbots, citing concerns over potential antitrust violations. Meta has five working days to comply or face a heavy fine. The move follows an ongoing investigation into the company's policy of blocking access for non-Meta AI providers.
Key points
- The EU has ordered Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots within five working days as part of an antitrust probe.
- Meta will face a heavy fine if it fails to comply with the order.
- The investigation began in December 2025 after Meta banned third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the WhatsApp for Business API.
- The EU argues that Meta's dominant position in European markets may be an abuse of power.
- Meta has accused the EU of 'regulatory overreach' and plans to appeal the order.
The European Commission has taken a significant step in its ongoing antitrust investigation into Meta's WhatsApp platform. The commission has ordered Meta to grant free access to its WhatsApp platform for rival AI chatbots, citing concerns over potential antitrust violations. This move follows an investigation that began in December 2025 after Meta banned third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the WhatsApp for Business API.
The EU argues that Meta's dominant position in European markets may be an abuse of power, and that the company's restrictions on access to the WhatsApp platform may be preventing competition in the growing market for AI chatbots. Meta has reacted angrily to the order, accusing the EU of 'regulatory overreach' and planning to appeal the decision.
The commission has given Meta five working days to comply with the order, or face a heavy fine. The interim measures are intended to prevent 'serious and irreparable harm to competition' in the market, according to the EU. The outcome of the investigation and the appeal process remains to be seen, but this development marks a significant escalation in the EU's efforts to regulate the tech giant.
Sources
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