EU Commission Orders Meta to Grant Rivals Free Access to WhatsApp Business API for AI
Quick Look
- The European Commission has ordered Meta to grant rival AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp's Business API, reversing a ban imposed in October 2025.
- Meta calls the decision 'regulatory overreach' and plans to appeal, while the Commission aims to preserve user choice.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The European Commission has initiated an antitrust investigation into Meta's decision to block rival AI chatbots from accessing the WhatsApp Business API, reserving this access for its own Meta AI. This move followed Meta's policy change in January 2026, with existing AI providers already cut off since October 2025.
The European Commission ordered Meta on Monday to give rival AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp's business messaging tools, escalating an antitrust fight that began when Meta blocked competitors from its platform last October, Reuters reports.
Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera said the interim measures would remain in place for the duration of the investigation, which started in December 2025. "In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted," she said in a statement.
The order requires Meta to reinstate access for third-party general-purpose AI assistants to the WhatsApp Business API under the same terms that existed before the ban.
Meta called the decision "regulatory overreach" and said it would appeal. "The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free," the company said in a statement to Reuters. "This is regulatory overreach subsidised by the many European companies that pay. We will appeal."
The Commission began its probe after Meta changed its policy to allow only Meta AI on WhatsApp while blocking competing chatbots from the Business API. The policy shift took effect January 15, though existing AI providers had already been cut off since October of 2025. The investigation centers on whether Meta abused its dominant position in European messaging markets by reserving WhatsApp's AI access for itself.
Ribera emphasized the decision "preserved choice for citizens across Europe on the AI assistants they want to use with WhatsApp, without that decision being made for them." Non-compliance could trigger fines up to 10% of Meta's total global turnover.
The row highlights a broader tension: AI companies want distribution on messaging platforms with billions of users, while platform owners want to monetize that access. A separate study from IMDEA Networks Institute in May found that ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Perplexity all share user data with third-party trackers including Meta, Google, and TikTok—even when users opt out. Grok was the worst offender: Guest conversations are public by default, and TikTok's tracker received webcam image metadata.
Meta has five working days to comply with the Commission’s order while it plans its appeal.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Meta will file an appeal against the European Commission's order.
Very likely · Within days
The interim measures will remain in place during the appeal process.
Likely · Within months
Fines will be imposed if Meta fails to comply with the order or the appeal.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Will Meta's appeal be successful?
- What specific terms will govern the reinstated API access?
- How will this decision impact Meta's revenue from WhatsApp Business?
- What are the broader implications for AI companies seeking distribution on messaging platforms?
