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EU competition regulators have issued formal charges against Meta Platforms over concerns the company is blocking artificial intelligence rivals from accessing its WhatsApp messaging service. The European Commission announced on Monday it has sent a statement of objections to Meta and is considering imposing interim measures to prevent potential harm to competitors during its ongoing investigation into possible abuse of a dominant market position.
The move comes after Meta implemented a policy on January 15 that allows only its own Meta AI assistant to operate on WhatsApp. The Commission said the interim measures would aim to preserve competitor access to the platform while the investigation continues, according to the regulatory body’s statement.
EU Targets Meta WhatsApp AI Restrictions
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera emphasized the importance of protecting competition in the artificial intelligence sector. “We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage,” Ribera said in a statement.
The European Commission’s approach mirrors actions taken by Italy’s competition watchdog in December on the same issue. The proposed interim measures would temporarily halt Meta’s policy of restricting third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp while regulators complete their full investigation.
Meta Disputes Regulatory Concerns
Meta has rejected the need for EU intervention, arguing that numerous AI options remain available to consumers. “There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating systems, devices, websites and industry partnerships,” a Meta spokesperson said in an email response.
The company further challenged the Commission’s reasoning, stating that regulators incorrectly assume the WhatsApp Business API software represents a critical distribution channel for AI chatbots. Meta contends that its policy does not significantly restrict competition in the broader AI marketplace.
Broader Regulatory Context
The investigation highlights the European Union’s continued commitment to enforcing antitrust rules against major technology companies despite criticism from U.S. officials. The EU has increasingly scrutinized American tech giants over concerns about market dominance and anti-competitive practices in recent years.
However, enforcement of similar measures has faced challenges in other jurisdictions. A Brazilian court recently suspended an interim measure by that country’s antitrust agency against Meta regarding the same WhatsApp AI access issue, according to reports.
The Commission indicated its decision on whether to impose interim measures will depend on Meta’s response to the charges and the company’s exercise of its rights of defense. Such measures are relatively rare in EU competition enforcement and typically reserved for cases where regulators believe immediate action is necessary to prevent irreparable harm to competition.
Competition in AI Markets
The case underscores growing regulatory attention to how established technology platforms manage access for artificial intelligence services. WhatsApp, with its extensive global user base, represents a significant potential channel for AI assistant distribution and deployment.
Additionally, the investigation reflects broader concerns about whether dominant platforms should be required to provide equal access to third-party services. Regulators are examining whether Meta’s restriction of WhatsApp to its own AI assistant constitutes an unfair advantage that harms innovation and consumer choice in the rapidly evolving AI sector.
The European Commission has not announced a timeline for its final decision on the interim measures request or the broader investigation into Meta’s WhatsApp AI policies. The outcome will depend on Meta’s formal response to the charges and subsequent proceedings, with the final resolution potentially taking months or longer to conclude.
