European Commission orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival chatbots

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10 June, 17:39

Meta is pushing its own AI assistant, Meta AI, within WhatsApp. The app previously allowed third-party assistants such as ChatGPT, but these capabilities were restricted at the end of 2025. The company must now reinstate support for alternative services following an order from the European Commission

The European Commission has issued an order obliging Meta to restore free access to the WhatsApp API for competing AI assistants on the same terms as before 15 October 2025. The company must maintain this arrangement until the Commission reaches a final decision in an antitrust investigation

The antitrust investigation began in December 2025. The Commission said it sought to prevent potential irreparable harm to competition in the AI sector after Meta banned third-party companies from using its API for chatbots

“There is an urgent need to prevent a risk of serious damage to the competitive structure in the growing market for general-purpose AI assistants. Meta’s policy change risks harming competition at a key moment in time for the development of that market, where smaller player and new entrants can challenge large incumbents,” the European Commission said.

Meta must implement these measures within five working days. If it fails to comply, the Commission may impose a fine of up to 10% of the company’s total annual revenue, as well as daily fines of up to 5% of its average daily revenue

The European Commission also notes that there is currently no fixed deadline for the adoption of a final decision in the investigation

Read also: Meta is launching paid subscriptions on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, with AI-based pricing plans to follow

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Source: mezha.ua