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EU Flags Potential Antitrust Breach by Meta Over WhatsApp AI Restrictions

By  |  February 9, 2026

The European Commission has informed Meta that it may have violated European Union competition rules by preventing third-party artificial intelligence assistants from operating on WhatsApp, a step regulators believe could distort competition in the fast-expanding AI sector.

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    According to a statement from the Commission on Monday, officials are concerned that Meta’s recent policy changes could hinder rival AI developers from entering or growing within the market for general-purpose AI assistants. Regulators indicated that the restrictions risk shutting out competitors at a critical stage in the development of consumer-facing AI technologies.

    The move stems from an update Meta announced in October 2025 to its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. Per a statement from the Commission, the revised terms effectively prohibit third-party AI assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp. Since January, Meta AI has reportedly been the only general-purpose AI assistant available on the messaging platform.

    Meta’s portfolio includes major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, alongside its proprietary AI offering, Meta AI. At this stage of the probe, the Commission has reached a preliminary conclusion that Meta likely holds a dominant position in the European Economic Area’s market for consumer communication applications, particularly through WhatsApp.

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    According to a statement, regulators are examining whether Meta is leveraging that dominance by denying access to WhatsApp for competing AI assistants. The Commission’s preliminary assessment suggests that such conduct could breach EU antitrust rules by restricting competition and raising barriers to entry.

    Per a statement from the Commission, the exclusion of rival AI tools may significantly disadvantage smaller companies and potentially lead to their lasting marginalization in the AI assistant market.

    Read more: EU Designates WhatsApp as Very Large Platform Under Digital Services Act

    As the investigation continues, Brussels is weighing the possibility of imposing interim measures that could temporarily reverse the exclusion of third-party AI services. Officials stressed that any such measures would be designed to safeguard competition while the inquiry proceeds and would not represent a final determination on the case.

    Meta has been given the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s concerns and to exercise its rights of defense before any further action is taken. If, after reviewing the company’s response, regulators determine that legal requirements have been satisfied, they may move forward with interim steps.

    “Artificial intelligence is bringing incredible innovations to consumers, and one of these is the emerging market of AI assistants. 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,” said Teresa Ribera, the EU Commission executive vice-president for clean, just, and competitive transition.

    Source: EC Europa