The European Fee (EC) has issued a Assertion of Objections to Meta, expressing preliminary issues that the corporate could have violated EU antitrust guidelines by blocking third-party general-purpose AI assistants from WhatsApp.
The regulator introduced its intention to impose interim measures aimed toward stopping potential critical and irreparable hurt to competitors.
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The case centres on adjustments to WhatsApp’s enterprise phrases that, in apply, prohibit entry to the WhatsApp Enterprise Resolution for AI suppliers the place AI is the first service.
Meta introduced an replace to its WhatsApp Enterprise Resolution Phrases on 15 October 2025. The Fee stated that, since 15 January 2026, the one AI assistant out there on WhatsApp has been Meta’s personal device, Meta AI, with opponents excluded.
In its preliminary evaluation, the Fee stated Meta is probably going dominant within the European Financial Space (EEA) marketplace for shopper communication functions, notably by way of WhatsApp. It additionally stated Meta is probably going abusing that place by refusing entry to WhatsApp to different companies, together with third-party AI assistants.
The Fee stated it at present views WhatsApp as an vital entry level for general-purpose AI assistants to achieve customers. It argued there may be urgency as a result of the change dangers elevating boundaries to entry and enlargement and irreparably marginalising smaller opponents within the AI assistant market.
EC Clear, Simply and Aggressive Transition Government Vice-President Teresa Ribera stated: “AI markets are creating at speedy tempo, so we additionally must be swift in our motion. That’s the reason we’re contemplating rapidly imposing interim measures on Meta, to protect entry for opponents to WhatsApp whereas the investigation is ongoing, and keep away from Meta’s new coverage irreparably harming competitors in Europe.”
In accordance with the EC, the Assertion of Objections on interim measures doesn’t decide the investigation’s closing consequence. It acknowledged that Meta has the chance to reply, overview the investigation file, submit written replies, and request an oral listening to with each Fee and nationwide competitors authority representatives.
If the Fee concludes the authorized threshold is met after Meta’s defence, it may possibly undertake a choice imposing interim measures, with out prejudging the ultimate choice on the substance of the case.
In the beginning of the investigation, the EC famous that Meta’s coverage prohibits AI suppliers from utilizing a device that permits companies to speak with prospects by way of WhatsApp. This limitation applies particularly when AI is the first service supplied by way of the ‘WhatsApp Enterprise Resolution’.
Companies should use AI instruments for ancillary or assist capabilities, comparable to automated buyer assist supplied by way of WhatsApp. The Fee is worried that such new coverage could stop third get together AI suppliers from providing their companies by way of WhatsApp in EEA.
WhatsApp permits companies to speak with prospects by way of the platform, together with by way of the WhatsApp Enterprise Resolution and associated APIs.
The Fee stated a number of AI suppliers have supplied entry to AI assistants by way of WhatsApp, enabling customers to work together with conversational AI inside the app for duties comparable to answering questions, producing content material or accessing buyer assist.
Meta has enforced the coverage by way of up to date phrases and situations for enterprise customers, often known as the WhatsApp Enterprise Utility Programming Interface phrases. These updates have been in impact since 15 October 2025 for AI suppliers new to WhatsApp and have been utilized since 15 January 2026 for these already current on the platform.
The Fee opened formal proceedings on 4 December 2025. Its investigation and the Assertion of Objections cowl the EEA besides Italy, the place the Italian Competitors Authority imposed interim measures on Meta in December 2025.
The probe operates underneath Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 54 of the EEA Settlement, which prohibit the abuse of a dominant place affecting commerce and competitors inside the Single Market.
The EC additionally cited Regulation 1/2003, underneath which it may possibly impose interim measures the place, at first sight, there may be an infringement and there may be an pressing want to forestall critical and irreparable hurt to competitors.
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