Posted on May 12, 2026<\/p>\n
2 min read<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Last updated: May 12, 2026<\/p>\n
Add as preferred source on Google<\/a> By Foo Yun Chee<\/p>\n BRUSSELS, May 12 (Reuters) – Meta Platforms has offered to give rival AI chatbots free access to its social messaging service WhatsApp for a month while it discusses ways to resolve EU antitrust concerns, the U.S. tech giant said on Tuesday, in a move that could stave off a hefty fine<\/p>\n Meta’s move came after the European Commission, which acts as the EU competition enforcer, indicated last month that it was inclined to order the company to provide rival AI chatbots access to WhatsApp<\/p>\n The company introduced a policy on January 15 allowing only its Meta AI assistant on WhatsApp, before subsequently amending it in March and saying rivals could use the social messaging app for a fee. That triggered a second charge sheet from the EU watchdog<\/p>\n “As part of ongoing discussions with the European Commission, general-purpose AI chatbots operating in the EEA will be given free access to the WhatsApp business API for one month,” a Meta spokesperson said, referring to the European Economic Area<\/p>\n “This will provide the Commission and Meta with time to achieve a quick and fair outcome to the investigation.”<\/p>\n The EU antitrust enforcer welcomed the move, calling it a step in the right direction<\/p>\n “The Commission believes this creates adequate conditions to discuss commitments with Meta that would address our concerns on the substance of the case,” a Commission spokesperson said<\/p>\n “The window for this discussion is short, and the process is conditional on Meta’s genuine intention to address the Commission’s concerns.”<\/p>\n If Meta can resolve the concerns, it would avert a finding of wrongdoing and a possible fine of up to 10% of its annual global turnover<\/p>\n The EU case was triggered by a complaint by The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com AI assistant and a Spanish competitor<\/p>\n Regulatory news website MLex was the first to report on Meta’s move<\/p>\n (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Nia Williams and Matthew Lewis)<\/p>\n Why is Meta offering free WhatsApp access to rival AI chatbots? Explore more articles in the Finance View All Finance Posts<\/p>\n \n Related:<\/strong> \n Join Justfine Infotech<\/strong> and build real digital skills in AI, automation, web development, digital marketing, office productivity, e-commerce, freelancing and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n Available Programmes:<\/strong> WhatsApp:<\/strong>
\nFinanceMarketsTech Policy<\/p>\nMeta seeks to avoid EU fine with free WhatsApp access for rival AI chatbots<\/h2>\n
Meta’s Offer and EU Antitrust Investigation<\/h2>\n
Background of the EU Antitrust Concerns<\/h3>\n
Meta’s Policy Changes<\/h4>\n
Details of Meta’s Proposal<\/h3>\n
Temporary Free Access for Rivals<\/h4>\n
EU Commission’s Response<\/h4>\n
Potential Outcomes and Implications<\/h3>\n
Possible Avoidance of Fines<\/h4>\n
Origins of the Case<\/h4>\n
Complaint by AI Competitors<\/h5>\n
Media Coverage<\/h5>\n
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References<\/h2>\n
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Frequently Asked Question<\/a>s<\/h2>\n
\nMeta is offering free WhatsApp access to rival AI chatbots for a month to address concerns raised by EU antitrust regulators about competition.
\nWhat prompted Meta to make this move?
\nThe European Commission indicated it might order Meta to provide rival AI chatbots with WhatsApp access, leading Meta to offer free access voluntarily.
\nHow long will rival AI chatbots have free access to WhatsApp?
\nRival AI chatbots will have free access to WhatsApp for one month while Meta discusses commitments with EU regulators.
\nWhat was Meta’s previous policy on AI chatbots and WhatsApp?
\nOn January 15, Meta restricted WhatsApp AI access to its own assistant, later amending the policy in March to allow rivals for a fee.
\nHow did EU regulators respond to Meta’s announcement?
\nThe EU antitrust enforcer welcomed Meta’s move to grant free access to rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp.<\/p>\nTags<\/h2>\n
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