EU Launches Antitrust Probe into Meta’s WhatsApp AI Policies
The European Union has initiated an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms Inc., focusing on its artificial intelligence access policies for WhatsApp. Announced on December 4, 2025, the inquiry aims to determine whether Meta’s recent policy changes unfairly inhibit rival AI developers from integrating with the widely-used messaging platform, thereby potentially stifling competition in the AI and messaging sectors across Europe. This action reflects the EU’s continuing efforts to rein in the dominance of major technology firms, following similar actions against Apple, Google, and Meta itself.
Central to the investigation is Meta’s updated policy that bars third-party AI developers from utilizing WhatsApp’s business tools to offer their own chatbots or AI services. While Meta’s own AI solutions are allowed unrestricted access, competitors face significant barriers, raising concerns about self-preferencing and potential market abuse. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, indicated that these practices could violate Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits dominant companies from abusing their market positions to exclude rivals. Sources indicate that the Commission is particularly concerned about how this policy may hinder innovation in AI-driven customer service and e-commerce applications.
Meta has defended its policy as essential for safeguarding user privacy and data security, arguing that allowing external AI providers access to WhatsApp could expose users to risks, such as data breaches or unreliable services. Critics, including smaller AI firms and consumer advocacy groups, argue that the policy is a tactic to solidify Meta’s dominance within its ecosystem. This investigation is part of a broader initiative by the EU to enforce the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which labels firms like Meta as “gatekeepers” and imposes stringent regulations on interoperability and equitable access.
Investigative Context and Implications
The timing of this investigation is notable, coming just months after Meta introduced new AI features across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The opening of the investigation allows for a thorough examination of Meta’s business practices, with the possibility of interim measures that could suspend the current policy while the case is reviewed. Such measures could temporarily grant competitors access to WhatsApp’s platform during the inquiry.
Industry experts point out that WhatsApp’s extensive user base—over 2 billion globally, with hundreds of millions in Europe—gives Meta substantial leverage. By controlling access to this platform, Meta can set the terms in the rapidly expanding field of conversational AI, where chatbots manage a range of user interactions, from customer inquiries to tailored recommendations. The policy change, enacted earlier in 2025, specifically prohibits external AI from using WhatsApp’s APIs for business communications, thus disadvantaging smaller players, particularly European startups developing niche AI tools.
This is not Meta’s first encounter with EU antitrust regulators; the company has faced substantial fines in recent years for various violations, including significant penalties related to data privacy under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). One instance, highlighted in a Financial Times report, involved penalties for tying Facebook Marketplace to the main social network, a practice reminiscent of the current WhatsApp allegations. Regulators are concerned that Meta may be repeating a pattern of leveraging its dominant platforms to favor its own services at the expense of competition.
The WhatsApp investigation also intersects with broader discussions on AI regulation globally. In the United States, Meta is under scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission for similar self-preferencing practices, although enforcement has been less stringent compared to Europe. The DMA mandates that gatekeepers ensure fair access, and this ongoing investigation could establish important precedents for how AI integrations are conducted across various platforms.
The EU’s concerns extend beyond competition, aiming to protect consumer interests. If rival AI developers are blocked, users may be limited to Meta’s AI solutions, which rely heavily on the company’s vast data resources for training. This could result in a reduced diversity of AI offerings, ultimately limiting consumer choices in areas such as multilingual support or specialized bots. A Reuters analysis indicates that the EU is assessing whether Meta’s policy constitutes exclusionary practices, which could lead to fines as high as 10% of the company’s global annual turnover—amounting to a considerable sum given Meta’s $134 billion in revenue for 2024.
Comparisons have been drawn to the EU’s landmark 2018 action against Google, which resulted in a €4.3 billion fine for favoring its shopping service in search results. Meta’s integration of its Llama AI model into WhatsApp could similarly be viewed as leveraging its dominance to promote proprietary technology. Experts suggest that if the allegations are substantiated, this could compel Meta to open its APIs, fostering a more competitive environment for AI developers.
As this investigation unfolds, it highlights tensions within the AI sector, where access to data and platform control are critical battlegrounds. Meta’s policy change followed the launch of its generative AI tool, yet critics argue that it is contradictory to promote openness while restricting competitors. In Italy, a separate investigation is already in progress by the national antitrust authority, examining related concerns about forced AI integration without user consent.
For Meta, WhatsApp is a vital revenue generator through business messaging fees, and integrating AI could enhance monetization potential. However, the company risks alienating developers who might otherwise contribute to the platform. Posts on social media from tech entrepreneurs express frustration over the situation, with some suggesting boycotts or considering alternative messaging options such as Signal or Telegram, which advocate for more open ecosystems.
The EU’s investigation is a clear signal of its commitment to ensuring a level playing field in the tech industry. With the Artificial Intelligence Act also under consideration, Meta’s practices will face increased scrutiny. As the investigation progresses, the outcome could lead to significant shifts in business practices not just within Meta, but across the entire tech landscape as regulators strive to navigate the complexities of innovation and competition in an increasingly AI-driven world.
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