The European Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Meta over its recent decision to restrict rival AI chatbots from using WhatsApp’s business tools. The inquiry comes after WhatsApp updated its business API policy in October, stating that the platform is not intended for the distribution of general-purpose chatbots. The new rules, set to take effect in January, would allow only Meta’s own AI chatbot, Meta AI, to operate freely on the messaging app, effectively blocking services from competitors such as OpenAI, Perplexity, and Poke.
While the policy change does not affect businesses using AI to serve customers—such as retailers employing AI-powered customer support—it does prohibit third-party AI providers from offering conversational chatbots through WhatsApp’s API. The European Commission has raised concerns that this could limit competition and prevent third-party AI services from reaching consumers across the European Economic Area (EEA), giving Meta an unfair advantage in the rapidly growing AI market.
Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition at the European Commission, emphasized the importance of preserving a competitive AI ecosystem. “AI markets are booming in Europe and beyond. We must ensure European citizens and businesses can benefit fully from this technological revolution and act to prevent dominant digital incumbents from abusing their power to crowd out innovative competitors,” she said. The Commission is evaluating whether Meta’s policy violates EU competition rules and is considering urgent measures to prevent potential irreparable harm to competition in the AI sector.
If found in breach of EU antitrust regulations, Meta could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, alongside additional regulatory measures. The investigation highlights growing scrutiny of how major tech companies manage access to their platforms, particularly in emerging sectors like artificial intelligence. Regulators are increasingly vigilant about ensuring that dominant firms do not use their control over popular services to stifle innovation or exclude competitors.
Meta, through WhatsApp, has dismissed the EU’s claims as “baseless,” stating that users have multiple avenues to access rival AI chatbots. A WhatsApp spokesperson said the rise of AI chatbots on the Business API places a strain on infrastructure the platform was not designed to handle. They added that consumers can still reach alternative AI services through app stores, search engines, email, partnerships, and operating systems, asserting that competition remains robust despite the policy change.
The investigation represents a significant test for Meta’s control over its messaging platform and underscores the European Commission’s commitment to maintaining fair competition in the AI industry. As the inquiry progresses, the outcome could have wide-reaching implications for AI access, platform governance, and the balance of power in digital markets.
