EU Challenges Meta Over WhatsApp AI Policy, Citing Antitrust Concerns
European Union regulators are intensifying scrutiny of Meta’s WhatsApp, potentially forcing the company to allow access to rival AI chatbots. The move stems from concerns that Meta is leveraging its dominant position to unfairly promote its own AI assistant, Meta AI, while restricting competition.
EU Investigation and Preliminary Findings
In December 2025, the European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation into Meta’s new policy regarding AI providers’ access to WhatsApp . The investigation centers on Meta’s October 2025 decision to prohibit AI providers from using the WhatsApp Business Solution – a tool for businesses to communicate with customers – when AI is the primary service offered. While AI can still be used for ancillary functions like automated customer support, the Commission fears this policy prevents third-party AI providers from offering their services within the European Economic Area (EEA).
On February 9, 2026, the EU informed Meta of its intention to impose “interim measures” to halt the exclusion of third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp . The Commission believes Meta has preliminarily breached EU antitrust rules, and Commissioner for Competition, Teresa Ribera, emphasized the need to prevent dominant tech companies from gaining an unfair advantage .
The Core of the Dispute: Meta AI’s Exclusive Access
Meta’s policy, implemented in January, effectively bans third-party general-purpose AI assistants from WhatsApp. The company’s update to its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms made Meta AI the sole AI assistant available on the platform . This means users cannot disable Meta AI or replace it with alternatives like Gemini, ChatGPT, or Claude.
EU’s Proposed Interim Measures
The European Commission is considering requiring Meta to maintain third-party AI assistants’ access to WhatsApp under the terms that existed before the policy change, while the investigation continues. This would prevent potential “serious and irreparable harm to competition” .
Meta’s Response
Meta maintains that there is “no reason for the EU to intervene” in the WhatsApp Business API, arguing that numerous AI options are already available through app stores, operating systems, and other partnerships . The company claims the EU has “incorrectly” assumed WhatsApp Business is a primary channel for chatbot usage.
Broader Context: EU Scrutiny of Big Tech
This investigation is part of a broader trend of increased EU scrutiny of major U.S. Technology firms. The EU has previously imposed significant changes on companies accused of violating consumer protection rules. Meta is also facing separate investigations under EU digital laws concerning data transparency and the handling of illegal content across its platforms .