EU orders Meta to restore free AI access to WhatsApp, Meta to appeal

The European Commission has mandated that Meta must reinstate free access for competing artificial intelligence (AI) services to its WhatsApp platform. This decision comes in response to complaints from AI companies and aims to prevent significant and irreversible damage to competition in the rapidly growing general AI assistant market.

This interim measure requires Meta to allow general-purpose AI assistants continued free access to WhatsApp's features. The Commission's order is designed to ensure a level playing field while its antitrust investigation into Meta's practices proceeds. The goal is to safeguard competition during a critical phase of market development.

Meta, however, has announced its intention to appeal the European Commission's ruling. The company likely believes the decision is unwarranted or could negatively impact its services. The ongoing antitrust investigation will determine the long-term implications for Meta's access policies and its market position.