EU Threatens Meta with Antitrust Measures Over WhatsApp AI Restrictions
The European Commission has issued a formal warning to Meta, alleging the tech giant violated EU antitrust rules by blocking rival artificial intelligence (AI) assistants on WhatsApp. In a preliminary finding published this Monday, regulators stated Meta’s policy changes unfairly restrict competition in the fast-growing generative AI market.
Policy Change Sparks Regulatory Action
According to the Commission’s investigation, Meta announced an October 2025 policy update prohibiting third-party AI assistants on WhatsApp. Effective January 15, 2026, this would make Meta AI the platform’s exclusive chatbot service. EU officials contend this move “risks marginalizing smaller competitors” in violation of competition laws.
The vice president of the European Commission for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, at the press conference this Wednesday in Brussels / EFE
“Unfair Advantage” in AI Race
European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera emphasized the need to protect market fairness, stating: “We cannot allow dominant technology companies to illegally take advantage of their position to obtain an unfair advantage.” Regulators estimate the generative AI market could grow by 35% annually through 2030, intensifying concerns about Meta’s potential monopoly.
The Commission’s preliminary report suggests Meta may be abusing its dominant position in messaging (WhatsApp has over 2.4 billion users globally) to control the adjacent AI market. This marks the EU’s first formal antitrust challenge related to generative AI integration in consumer apps.
Provisional Measures Under Consideration
To prevent “serious and irreparable damage to the market,” the Commission is considering provisional measures before the policy takes effect. Meta has until September 2025 to respond formally. Historical precedent shows the EU imposed over €1.2 billion in antitrust fines against tech companies between 2017-2023.
Legal experts note this case tests the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) provisions governing “gatekeeper platforms.” The DMA specifically prohibits dominant companies from unfairly favoring their own services – a key consideration in this investigation.
Market Implications
Independent analysts suggest that restricting AI competition could:
- Reduce innovation in chatbot technology
- Limit consumer choice in AI features
- Artificially inflate prices for AI services
The Commission has requested additional market analysis from AI developers and consumer advocacy groups before finalizing its decision.
For continued coverage of this developing story, refer to the original report: Source: Diario de Mallorca
Images Credit: www.diariodemallorca.es