EU orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots

The European Commission has mandated Meta to grant rival AI chatbots free access to its WhatsApp platform, initiating an antitrust investigation into the tech giant's decision to restrict access to third-party AI providers. This interim measure is intended to prevent "serious and irreparable harm to competition" in the rapidly evolving AI market, which the Commission believes Meta's actions may be infringing upon EU competition rules.

Meta has strongly objected to the Commission's order, labeling it as "regulatory overreach" and announcing its intention to appeal. The company argues that the decision compels them to offer access to its paid WhatsApp Business product for free to major AI companies like OpenAI. Meta contends that this move unfairly benefits large AI firms at the expense of European companies that already pay for such services.

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In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted. This is why these interim measures will remain in place for the duration of the investigation.

The EU launched its investigation in December 2025 after Meta prohibited third-party general-purpose AI assistants from using the WhatsApp for Business API. The Commission views this as a potential abuse of Meta's dominant market position within Europe. As a temporary measure during the ongoing investigation, Meta has been given five working days to reinstate access for these AI assistants under previous terms and conditions.

"In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted," stated Teresa Ribera, the Commission's executive vice-president. She emphasized that these interim measures are crucial for preserving consumer choice regarding AI assistants used with WhatsApp. Failure to comply with this interim decision could result in Meta facing fines of up to 10% of its total turnover. This dispute marks another instance of tension between European regulators and major U.S. technology firms, following recent fines imposed on Meta by the EU.

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The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free. This is regulatory overreach subsidised by the many European companies that pay. We will appeal.