EU Threatens Meta Over WhatsApp AI Restrictions, Signals Swift Action Against Tech Giant
The European Union has intensified its scrutiny of Meta Platforms, warning the social media giant that it could face interim measures for restricting rival AI services on WhatsApp. The European Commission, acting as the EU’s antitrust watchdog, said Meta’s policy change may violate competition rules by giving exclusive access to its own AI assistant, Meta AI, while blocking competitors. This marks one of the strongest signals yet that Brussels is ready to act swiftly in digital market disputes.
Meta’s policy, implemented on January 15, effectively limits WhatsApp users to interacting with Meta’s in-house AI, cutting off rival developers from the platform. The Commission has formally issued a “statement of objections,” which outlines its preliminary view that Meta’s actions could distort competition. The company now has the opportunity to respond before a final decision is made, though regulators warned that interim measures may be necessary to prevent immediate market harm.
The EU’s concern stems from the sheer scale of WhatsApp’s European user base, which runs into hundreds of millions. By favoring its own AI, Meta could gain an unfair advantage, regulators argue, making it harder for competing AI services to reach users. Officials emphasized that waiting for a full investigation—often taking years—could allow Meta to entrench this dominance, prompting calls for urgent intervention.
This clash is not Meta’s first with EU authorities. In April 2025, the Commission ruled that Meta breached the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law aimed at curbing the power of dominant tech platforms. Following that ruling, Meta offered EU users greater control over data sharing for advertising across Facebook and Instagram, highlighting the company’s ongoing efforts to comply with European regulations while maintaining market influence.
The outcome of the current AI dispute could have far-reaching consequences. If the EU imposes interim measures, Meta may be forced to open WhatsApp to rival AI services while the case proceeds. A final ruling could also result in fines and stricter behavioral obligations, setting an important precedent for how dominant digital platforms can integrate proprietary AI tools without violating competition rules.
source: The guardian