Overview
- The European Commission formally instructed Meta to allow competing AI chatbot providers on WhatsApp or face consequences.
- Regulators say Meta’s exclusionary terms may breach EU competition rules and risk “irreparable harm” to smaller rivals, with Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera citing abuse of market power.
- Meta rejected the assessment, arguing there is no basis for intervention and disputing that WhatsApp is an important distribution channel for AI chatbots.
- Meta changed WhatsApp business terms in October to bar companies whose primary business is artificial intelligence, with a transition period for existing users ending in mid‑January.
- Meta can now submit a formal response, and the Commission may issue interim measures ordering changes to the terms, with fines possible if Meta does not comply.