European Commission issues interim measures requiring Meta to grant rivals free access to WhatsApp amid antitrust probe.
The European Commission ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp, marking its first interim antitrust measure in 17 years. The decision aims to prevent potential market abuse as regulators investigate Meta’s alleged blocking of competitors from the messaging platform.
The probe began in December after complaints from three AI startups, including California-based The Interaction Company and French firm Agentik. The Commission issued charges against Meta in April, citing breaches of EU antitrust rules. Meta criticized the order, calling it regulatory overreach and vowing to appeal.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated the measures would protect competition in the AI assistant market by ensuring WhatsApp remains an accessible entry point for innovation. The ruling could reshape how AI services integrate with major platforms in Europe.