The European Commission has issued a significant warning to Meta, announcing a preliminary finding that the company violated EU antitrust laws by blocking third-party AI assistants from operating on WhatsApp. The regulatory action marks an escalation in the investigation launched in December 2025 and could result in emergency measures forcing Meta to restore competitor access to the platform.
The Core Issue
The controversy centers on policy updates Meta announced in October 2025 for WhatsApp Business. According to the European Commission, these updates effectively made Meta AI the only AI assistant available on WhatsApp as of January 15, 2026. The restrictions forced major competitors to abandon the platform: OpenAI withdrew ChatGPT, which had more than 50 million users on WhatsApp, and Microsoft followed by removing Copilot from the app.
Regulatory Concerns
The European Commission has sent Meta a Statement of Objections setting out its preliminary view that the company abused its market position. Regulators believe WhatsApp represents a critical gateway for AI assistants trying to reach consumers in Europe, and blocking rivals could stifle competition in the rapidly expanding AI market before it fully develops.
“We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage,” Teresa Ribiera, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, stated in announcing the preliminary findings.
Potential Emergency Action
The Commission warned that Meta’s policy risks causing “serious and irreparable harm” to the market for AI assistants and is considering interim measures that could compel Meta to restore competitor access while the broader investigation continues. Such emergency steps are rarely used and typically signal that regulators believe waiting for a final decision could permanently distort the market.
Meta’s Defense
Meta has pushed back against the accusations. A Meta spokesperson told Reuters there is “no reason for the EU to intervene in the WhatsApp Business API” and argued that AI assistants have multiple ways to reach users through app stores, operating systems, devices, websites, and partnerships. The company also noted that a similar dispute was previously tested in Brazil, where courts dismissed arguments that WhatsApp represents a critical distribution channel for chatbot services.
Next Steps and Implications
Meta now has the opportunity to formally respond to the Commission’s objections. If Brussels ultimately rules against the company, it could face hefty fines and orders to change how WhatsApp integrates with third-party AI services. The case represents an early test of how competition law applies to AI ecosystems and signals Europe’s determination to regulate artificial intelligence markets alongside its broader efforts to control Big Tech dominance.
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