EU Orders Meta to Restore Free Access to Rival AI Assistants in WhatsApp
The European Commission has ordered Meta to restore free access to rival general-purpose AI assistants in WhatsApp, citing concerns that Meta's dominant position in the chat app market is stifling innovation and hurting competitors. The decision is an interim measure until the EC completes its antitrust investigation, but is likely to stay in place. WhatsApp users in Europe will soon have a choice of AI assistants, including Meta's own AI chatbot.
Key points
- The European Commission (EC) has ordered Meta to restore free access to rival general-purpose AI assistants on its WhatsApp platform for users in Europe.
- This decision is an interim measure, stemming from an EC antitrust investigation launched in December 2025, after Meta began blocking third-party AI assistants in WhatsApp in October 2025.
- The EC argues that Meta's dominant position in the chat app market, by preventing competing AI chatbots, stifles innovation and harms competitors.
- As a direct outcome, WhatsApp users in Europe will soon have a choice of AI assistants available within the app, including Meta's own AI chatbot.
- While an interim ruling, the EC's order is expected to remain in effect until the completion of its full antitrust investigation, signaling a lasting impact on the industry.
The European Commission has taken a significant step in its ongoing antitrust investigation into Meta's WhatsApp, ordering the platform owner to restore free access to rival general-purpose AI assistants. The decision, which is an interim measure until the EC completes its investigation, is likely to result in the decision staying in place.
The EC's position is that Meta's dominant position in the chat app market is stifling innovation and hurting competitors by preventing competing AI chatbots from running on its platform. This is not the first time the EC has taken action against a dominant platform, with previous investigations into Alphabet and Google, as well as Apple and Meta, also citing concerns about the stifling of innovation and competition.
WhatsApp users in Europe will soon have a choice of AI assistants, including Meta's own AI chatbot. This decision is a significant development in the ongoing battle for dominance in the chat app market, and is likely to have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole.
The EC's decision is based on concerns that Meta's dominant position in the chat app market is stifling innovation and hurting competitors. The commission has stated that it is concerned that Meta's new policy may prevent third-party AI providers from offering their services through WhatsApp. Meta started blocking third-party AI assistants in WhatsApp in October 2025, prompting the EC to launch its investigation in December 2025.
Sources
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