European Commission raises antitrust concerns over WhatsApp AI access

The European Commission has warned Meta that it may have breached European competition rules by restricting rivals’ access to WhatsApp. The regulator said it could impose interim measures while its investigation continues, signalling growing scrutiny of how large technology firms roll out new AI services.

In a statement released on 9 February, the Commission said it had reached a preliminary view that Meta’s actions could limit competition in the emerging AI assistant market. The concern is that blocking third-party AI services on WhatsApp could give Meta an unfair advantage, especially as the company promotes its own Meta AI tools within the messaging platform.

Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said the pace of AI development means regulators must act quickly. “We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage illegally,” she said. Ribera added that swift action may be needed to prevent lasting damage to competition. “AI markets are developing at a rapid pace, so we also need to be swift in our action. That is why we are considering quickly imposing interim measures against Meta to preserve competitors’ access to WhatsApp. At the same time, the investigation is ongoing, and we must avoid Meta’s new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe.”

The Commission’s preliminary findings do not represent a final decision, but they mark a significant step in the EU’s enforcement process. Meta has been allowed to respond to the allegations before regulators decide on any penalties or corrective actions.

Policy changes trigger investigation into AI assistant competition

The current dispute stems from changes Meta announced to its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms in October. According to the European Commission, a subsequent update on 15 January effectively made Meta AI the only AI assistant allowed to operate on WhatsApp via the business interface, limiting third-party providers’ ability to integrate their tools.

The Commission opened its formal investigation on 4 December, focusing on whether Meta used its dominant position in messaging services to push its own AI products. Regulators are particularly concerned that such practices could prevent smaller companies and new entrants from competing in the AI assistant market, which is expected to become a key part of digital services and business communication.

If the Commission ultimately finds that Meta violated EU antitrust laws, the company could face fines and be required to change its practices. Interim measures the Commission is considering could force Meta to restore access for rival AI providers while the investigation continues. These measures are designed to prevent irreversible harm to competition before a final ruling is reached.

The case highlights broader tensions between regulators and major technology firms over the integration of AI into widely used platforms. Messaging services such as WhatsApp are critical channels for businesses and consumers, and control over AI features within these platforms could shape how users access information, customer support and automated services.

Meta rejects claims and points to the wider AI ecosystem

Meta has pushed back against the Commission’s preliminary findings, arguing that there is no need for regulatory intervention. A company spokesperson said the market remains competitive and users have many options for AI services beyond WhatsApp.

“The facts are that there is no reason for the EU to intervene in the WhatsApp Business API,” the Meta spokesperson told Reuters. “There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating systems, devices, websites, and industry partnerships.”

The company’s response reflects its broader strategy of positioning Meta AI within a larger ecosystem rather than as a closed platform. Meta has been integrating AI features across its products, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and has promoted partnerships with developers and businesses to expand its reach.

However, regulators argue that access to WhatsApp’s business interface is critical, as it enables companies to build automated customer service tools and chatbots directly into the messaging platform. Limiting this access could make it harder for rivals to compete, even if alternative AI services exist elsewhere.

The outcome of the investigation could set an important precedent for how AI services are regulated in Europe, especially when they are tied to dominant digital platforms. It may also influence how other regions approach competition in the fast-growing AI sector, where a small number of companies currently hold significant power over key technologies and distribution channels.

For now, Meta faces continued scrutiny as the Commission gathers evidence and considers its next steps. A final decision is expected later, but the warning itself sends a clear signal that the EU intends to closely monitor how major tech companies deploy AI within their platforms.