The European Commission on June 9 directed Meta Platforms to permit competing AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp for Business while its investigation into possible antitrust breaches proceeds. The move is an interim measure intended to preserve competitive conditions in the market for AI assistants as regulators determine whether Meta abused its market position by blocking rivals from the messaging platform.
The Commission opened a formal probe in December last year after receiving complaints from several developers, including The Interaction Company of California, which builds the Poke.com AI assistant, as well as French startup Agentik and a Spain-based competitor. Two months after launching the investigation, the regulator issued charges alleging violations of EU antitrust rules.
Scope of the interim order
Under the interim measure, Meta is required to restore access for rival services to the WhatsApp for Business application programming interface - the interface that lets companies connect their systems to WhatsApp - on the same terms and conditions that were in place before October of last year. The company must do so within five working days.
The Commission said the interim step was necessary because in rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is reached. In a statement, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stressed that the measure aims to safeguard competition in the expanding market for AI assistants by preserving WhatsApp as a critical entry point for reaching European consumers, and to allow AI firms to innovate, scale up and reach their potential.
Background to the dispute
According to the Commission's account, Meta had cut off rival AI services from using the WhatsApp for Business API in October last year while continuing to allow access for its own assistant, Meta AI. In March, Meta reinstated access to the platform for competitors but only on a paid basis - a change that drew the regulator's objection and prompted the interim action.
Meta's response
Meta publicly criticized the Commission's order. A company spokesperson said the decision effectively allows OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world to use the paid WhatsApp Business product for free, characterizing the move as regulatory overreach subsidised by European businesses that pay for the service. The spokesperson added that Meta intends to appeal the decision.
Potential consequences
If the Commission ultimately finds that Meta breached EU antitrust rules, the company could face a penalty of up to 10% of its global annual turnover. The interim measure itself is designed to maintain market access for rivals while the formal investigation continues to determine whether such a breach occurred.
Implications for markets and services
The Commission framed WhatsApp as a key consumer touchpoint for AI assistants in Europe and said preserving open access is important to allow competition and innovation in the sector. The interim decision touches on digital platforms, AI-enabled services and messaging infrastructure, and will be monitored closely by market participants given the potential commercial and regulatory stakes.