Brussels forces Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI assistants

Brussels is compelling Meta to open its popular messaging service WhatsApp to competing artificial intelligence assistants. The European Commission issued a provisional order, signaling its intent to address concerns about Meta's market dominance in the messaging and AI sectors.

This swift action, taken within six months of opening an investigation, aims to "prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition" in a burgeoning market. The Commission accuses Meta of violating EU market rules by restricting access to third-party AI assistants on WhatsApp, thereby potentially stifling competition.

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prevent a serious and irreparable damage to competition in a growing market by Meta's attitude, which at first glance is breaking the EU market rules

The investigation, initiated in early December, focused on Meta's changes to its terms of service that allegedly barred competitors from offering their AI assistants through WhatsApp. In February, Brussels concluded there were sufficient grounds to accuse Meta of likely abusing its dominant position.

The provisional measure, enacted under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), allows for rapid intervention in fast-evolving markets. The DMA imposes additional obligations on designated "gatekeeper" companies like Meta to prevent their market power from leading to abuse. These measures will remain in place while the investigation continues, aiming to prevent damage that would be difficult to repair.

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In rapidly evolving markets, competition can disappear long before a final decision is adopted. That is why these provisional measures will remain in force while the investigation lasts, in order to prevent damage that would be almost impossible to repair