EU Orders Meta to Open WhatsApp to Rival AI Chatbots

EU Mandates Interim Access for Competing AI Services

The European Commission has ordered Meta Platforms to restore access to WhatsApp for rival artificial intelligence chatbot makers while regulators complete an ongoing antitrust investigation. The directive, announced Tuesday, represents an escalation in Brussels' scrutiny of how dominant technology platforms control access to rapidly evolving AI markets.

According to details first reported by ABC News, the interim measures will remain in effect until June 2029 or until the investigation concludes. The Commission is examining whether Meta violated EU competition law by restricting third-party AI assistant providers from operating on WhatsApp while allowing only its own chatbot service.

Why It Matters

The ruling signals that European regulators are willing to intervene quickly in AI markets rather than wait years for traditional antitrust cases to conclude. With AI assistants expected to become a primary interface for consumer technology, the Commission's decision to impose temporary orders reflects concern that delayed action could allow market dominance to calcify before competition can take root.

Meta's Response and Regulatory Rationale

Meta announced it would appeal the order, characterizing the decision as "regulatory overreach subsidized by the many European companies that pay." The company argued that the Commission is effectively requiring it to provide free access to its paid WhatsApp Business product for OpenAI and other major corporations.

Teresa Ribera, the Commission's executive vice-president overseeing competition, defended the action by pointing to the exceptional speed of AI market development. She told reporters in Brussels that when damage can occur quickly and companies risk being forced from the market, regulators must use available tools rather than wait for lengthy investigations to conclude.

Background of the Investigation

EU regulators began examining Meta's updated terms and conditions for business customers using AI assistants on WhatsApp last year. The investigation centered on whether the agreement prevented third-party AI companies from offering their services on the platform, effectively giving Meta's chatbot exclusive access to WhatsApp users.

Meta attempted to address regulatory concerns by proposing to charge competitors for platform access. However, this solution failed to satisfy the Commission. Ribera indicated that Meta's proposed fee structure was "not economically sustainable for competitors," though specific pricing details were not disclosed. In April, regulators threatened to mandate free access for rival AI providers.

Enforcement and Penalties

If Meta fails to comply with the interim order, the company faces potential fines reaching 10% of its annual revenue. The penalty structure reflects the Commission's increased willingness to use temporary measures rather than rely solely on multi-year investigations that critics have argued move too slowly to address Big Tech market power.

The case represents one of several instances where Brussels has deployed interim orders after facing criticism over the pace of antitrust enforcement. The details were first reported by ABC News.