EU Commission warns Meta over possible antitrust breach linked to WhatsApp AI access

The European Commission has informed Meta of its preliminary view that recent changes to WhatsApp’s terms may breach EU antitrust rules. In a Statement of Objections, regulators indicated that limiting access for third-party AI assistants could distort competition in the emerging market for AI-powered services.

The investigation focuses on updated WhatsApp Business terms announced in October 2025 and applied from January 2026. Under these changes, competing general-purpose AI assistants were effectively prevented from integrating with the platform, while Meta AI remained the only built-in assistant available to users.

The Commission’s preliminary assessment suggests that WhatsApp functions as an important gateway through which users access digital services. Restricting competitors’ access could strengthen Meta’s position in communication applications and limit opportunities for other AI developers to enter or expand in the market.

EU authorities are considering interim measures to prevent what they describe as potential serious and irreversible harm to competition. Meta has the opportunity to respond to the Commission’s concerns before any such measures are adopted. The broader antitrust investigation remains ongoing.