EU Directs Meta to Allow Competitor AI Chatbots Access to WhatsApp
The European Union has mandated that Meta must permit AI chatbots operated by competing firms to access WhatsApp without charge.
The European Commission stated that Meta is required to maintain this access while it completes an antitrust investigation into the company's decision to block access for AI providers other than Meta AI on the WhatsApp messaging platform.
The Commission indicated that this intervention is necessary to prevent "serious and irreparable harm to competition in this growing market by Meta's conduct," which it believes may violate EU competition regulations.
Meta responded strongly, accusing the Commission of "regulatory overreach" and announced plans to appeal the decision.
Background of the Investigation
The EU revealed that it initiated its investigation in December 2025 after Meta prohibited third-party general-purpose AI assistants from using the WhatsApp for Business API.
This action by Meta appeared to constitute an abuse of its dominant position in European markets, according to the Commission.
As an interim measure during the ongoing investigation, the EU has instructed Meta to reinstate access for third-party general-purpose AI assistants to the WhatsApp for Business API within five working days, under the same terms and conditions that were previously in place.
Statements from EU Officials
"In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted,"said Teresa Ribera, the Commission's executive vice-president for clean, just and competitive transition.
"This is why these interim measures will remain in place for the duration of the investigation."
She further added that the decision "preserved choice for citizens across Europe on the AI assistants they want to use with WhatsApp, without that decision being made for them."
Meta's Response to the EU Directive
Meta criticized the EU's decision, arguing that it allows highly valuable AI companies to access WhatsApp without paying.
"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,"Meta stated.
"This is regulatory overreach subsidised by the many European companies that pay. We will appeal."
Context of EU and US Tech Relations
This dispute is the latest example of the tense relationship between European regulators and major US technology firms.
Last year, Meta warned that EU regulations could result in a "worse experience" for European users.
This warning followed a fine imposed on Meta the previous week, one among numerous penalties issued by the EU, which asserts that its actions serve consumer interests against tech companies exploiting market dominance.
The conflict has also taken on a political dimension, with the Trump administration claiming that the EU and other jurisdictions unfairly target American technology companies.
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