The European Commission recently announced a statement, provisionally determining that Meta had violated EU antitrust regulations by restricting third-party artificial intelligence assistants from accessing WhatsApp. Although Meta had previously adjusted its policies, the EU believes these changes still raise concerns of exclusivity.

This ruling stems from an ongoing investigation into Meta's competitive practices. To protect fair market competition, regulators are planning to order Meta to unconditionally restore access for third-party AI tools, ensuring the openness of the ecosystem.

Charged with Creating Barriers

Since January 2026, Meta had attempted to effectively prohibit general AI assistants from accessing its communication apps by updating its service terms. In response to the pressure from the EU investigation, Meta revoked the ban but instead introduced a complex charging framework.

The European Commission pointed out that this alternative charging model still poses obstacles for third-party developers. As a result, it makes it difficult for competitors to survive on the WhatsApp platform, thereby reinforcing Meta's dominant market position.

Maintaining Market Competition Order

To prevent irreparable harm to the market, the commission has required Meta to restore the original access conditions prior to October 2025. This temporary measure will continue to be implemented until the regulatory authority makes a final legal decision on Meta's actions.

Currently, Meta has submitted responses to the allegations but has not reversed the regulatory body's preliminary determination. This move demonstrates the EU's firm stance in antitrust regulation of global tech giants, aiming to create a fair competitive space for AI innovators.