Overview
- Brussels sent Meta a statement of objections, stating its initial view that blocking third‑party AI on WhatsApp breaches EU antitrust rules.
- The Commission said it may impose interim measures to restore rivals’ access to WhatsApp during the investigation, subject to Meta’s reply and rights of defense.
- Meta’s updated WhatsApp Business terms, effective January 15, 2026, left Meta AI as the only general‑purpose assistant allowed on the platform.
- Meta disputes the case, arguing the WhatsApp Business API is not a key distribution channel and that consumers have many alternative ways to use AI assistants.
- Major providers including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot exited WhatsApp after the policy change, while Italy ordered a domestic halt and a Brazilian court suspended a local interim measure.