EU Accuses Meta of Restricting WhatsApp Access for AI Rivals

The European Commission has made a bold move, accusing Meta of violating European Union antitrust law. At issue is Meta's policy restricting third-party AI developers' access to the WhatsApp platform. In the regulator's view, Meta's actions may hinder competition in the fast-growing market for AI assistants.

The dispute flared after Meta announced changes to the WhatsApp terms of use that effectively bar third-party general-purpose AI assistants from connecting to the app. The new rules, which took effect on 15 January 2026, left Meta AI, Meta's own AI assistant, as the only option available to WhatsApp users. Competing products were blocked.

The Commission expressed serious concern that the policy gives Meta an unfair advantage and limits room for innovation in artificial intelligence. The regulator stressed that access to WhatsApp's large user base is critical for training and improving AI models. By restricting that access, Meta may stifle competition and cement its dominant position in the market.

The Commission is currently considering interim measures to prevent serious and irreparable harm to the market. Meta has been given the opportunity to respond to the charges and present arguments defending its policy. However, if the Commission finds Meta's arguments unconvincing, the company faces heavy fines and obligations to change its policy.

The case is part of a broader trend in which big tech companies face increasingly close scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Authorities fear that these companies' dominant market positions allow them to suppress competition and limit consumer choice. The Meta proceedings could set a precedent for other similar cases and significantly affect how the AI market develops.

For WhatsApp users, this means they will likely have a limited choice of AI assistants in the app for the near future. In the longer term, however, the Commission's decision may help create a more competitive and innovative environment with more choice for users.

In short, the Commission's charges against Meta highlight growing concern over the dominance of big tech in the AI market. The outcome of the case may have far-reaching consequences for the industry and affect how AI technologies are developed and distributed in the future.

*Meta has been designated an extremist organization and is banned in Russia.