The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Meta over new rules that restrict how third-party artificial intelligence providers may operate on WhatsApp. The Commission said it is examining whether Meta’s updated policy prevents rival AI services from accessing WhatsApp’s business tools and whether this limits fair competition under EU law.
Meta introduced the policy in October 2025. It bars AI systems whose primary function is an AI chatbot from using WhatsApp’s business communication features. Meta AI remains allowed on the platform. Other AI providers would be unable to reach users through WhatsApp’s commercial interfaces. The Commission said the restrictions apply across the European Economic Area and may obstruct market access for competing AI developers.
According to the Commission, the investigation will assess whether Meta holds a dominant position in messaging services in the region and whether the AI access rule constitutes an abuse of that position. Under EU competition rules, companies with significant market power may not impose terms that hinder rivals from entering or operating within a market.
The Commission also confirmed that it may consider interim measures if there is evidence that the rule risks causing serious and irreversible harm to competition. Such measures could temporarily restore access for excluded AI providers while the inquiry continues. Parallel examinations are underway in individual member states, including Italy, which previously opened proceedings into Meta over WhatsApp’s AI features.
Meta said the concerns raised by regulators are unfounded. The company stated that high volumes of chatbot traffic can burden WhatsApp’s infrastructure and said users have access to many AI tools through other services outside WhatsApp. Meta said it continues to support a wide range of features and business integrations on the platform.
The investigation marks one of the first major competition cases related to AI services integrated with dominant communication platforms. The Commission said that AI systems embedded in messaging and social products may create structural advantages for firms that already control large user networks. It added that the inquiry will evaluate whether Meta’s rules reduce choice or limit innovation for businesses and developers seeking to deliver AI tools through WhatsApp.
The outcome of the case may shape broader policy around AI access to major platforms. The Commission said its assessment will consider the fast pace of AI development and the need to preserve open and competitive markets. Meta now faces a detailed examination of its AI policies under the region’s competition framework.