The European Union has launched a formal antitrust investigation into WhatsApp, raising questions about whether the messaging service’s new artificial intelligence rules could shut out rival developers.
Concerns over access for rival AI providers
The European Commission said it is examining WhatsApp’s recent policy changes, which appear to limit access for third-party AI companies.
Officials worry the update could stop competing AI assistants from operating on the platform, while Meta’s own chatbot service would remain available to users across the bloc.
WhatsApp, which is owned by Meta Platforms, introduced its AI chatbot for EU users in March after earlier delays. Regulators are also looking closely at new terms for business customers who use automated assistants to communicate with clients on WhatsApp.
Brussels warns against Big Tech dominance
Teresa Ribera, the Commission’s vice-president responsible for competition, said the EU wants to ensure that emerging AI companies are not pushed aside by powerful tech firms.
She said the investigation aims to determine whether Meta’s policy “may be illegal under competition rules” and whether swift action is needed to avoid “irreparable harm” to competition in the AI sector.
WhatsApp rejects the accusations
WhatsApp dismissed the concerns, calling the Commission’s claims “baseless”. The company said its systems were not designed to handle a surge in AI chatbots on its Business API and argued that users can still access a wide range of AI services through app stores, search engines, email, partnerships and device operating systems.
The probe will apply across the EU’s 27 member states, except Italy, which has already opened a separate investigation of its own.