The European Union has launched a formal investigation into WhatsApp over antitrust concerns with AI restrictions. The investigation is aimed at “preventing any potentially irreparable harm to competition in the AI sector,” according to the EU, and follows Meta’s announcement of changes to WhatsApp’s terms for businesses in October that will block companies from using the platform’s API to deliver third-party AI chatbots.
“As a result of the new policy, competing AI providers may be prevented from reaching their customers through WhatsApp,” the European Commission announcement said. “On the other hand, Meta’s own AI service ‘Meta AI’ will remain accessible to users on the platform.”
The updated WhatsApp policy became effective on October 15 for AI providers who do not already have services on the platform, and will apply to existing AI providers on WhatsApp from January 15, 2026. OpenAI and Microsoft responded to the policy changes earlier this year by announcing that ChatGPT and Copilot would be removed from the platform.
The investigation will assess whether Meta breached EU laws that “prevent abuse of dominant position” by making it harder for smaller providers to compete with its services. There is no time limit for investigation. If Meta is ruled to have violated the block’s antitrust rules, it could face a fine of up to 10 percent of the company’s global annual revenue, which would amount to $16.45 billion (based on Meta’s 2024 earnings).
“AI markets are booming in Europe and beyond,” European Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera said in the announcement. “We must ensure that European citizens and businesses can fully benefit from this technological revolution and act to prevent dominant digital incumbents from abusing their power to exclude innovative competitors.”
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