Meta · BBC Technology
EU orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots
Compiled by KHAO Editorial — aggregated from 2 sources. See llms.txt for citation guidance.
✓ KHAO Verified
The EU has told Meta that it must allow AI chatbots operated by rival firms to use WhatsApp for free.
Key facts
- The EU said it began its investigation, in December 2025, after Meta banned third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the WhatsApp for Business API
- The Commission said if Meta failed to comply with its interim decision it could be fined up to 10% up of its total turnover
- But Meta said the decision opened the door for hugely valuable AI companies to gain access to WhatsApp without paying
- The EU has told Meta that it must allow AI chatbots operated by rival firms to use WhatsApp for free
Summary
The European Commission said the firm would need to maintain that access while it concluded an antitrust investigation into the tech giant's decision to bar access for AI providers, other than Meta AI, on the messaging platform. It said the intervention was needed to prevent "serious and irreparable harm to competition in this growing market by Meta's conduct", which it said appeared to infringe EU competition rules. Meta has reacted angrily, accusing the Commission of "regulatory overreach. The EU said it began its investigation, in December 2025, after Meta banned third-party general-purpose AI assistants from the WhatsApp for Business API.