The EU orders WhatsApp to be opened up to AI competitors
The decision, which must be implemented within five working days, was taken even before Brussels had concluded its antitrust investigation into the Californian company
by Beda Romano
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
BRUSSELS – The high-profile standoff between the European Union and the big tech companies continues. Yesterday, the European Commission ordered the US group Meta to allow artificial intelligence assistants free access to its WhatsApp messaging system. The decision, which must be implemented within five working days, was taken even before Brussels has concluded its antitrust investigation into the Californian company.
At a press conference in Brussels yesterday, European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera explained: ‘In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be undermined long before a final decision is taken.’ For this reason, the European Commission has decided to act pre-emptively. The measure announced yesterday will remain in force “for the duration of the investigation, in order to prevent damage that would be almost impossible to repair”.
The case began in December 2025 when the European Commission decided to launch an antitrust investigation into Meta, which owns Facebook and WhatsApp, among other things. Last February, Brussels issued a reasoned opinion. A further reasoned opinion was sent to the American company in April. The decision to impose restrictive measures even before the investigation has been concluded reveals fears of irreparable damage to competition. In a statement, Brussels speaks of an ‘urgent need’.
According to the European Commission, Meta has been abusing its dominant position since January 2023. Against this backdrop, Brussels yesterday called on the company to allow rivals to offer artificial intelligence services via the WhatsApp for Business API ‘under the conditions in place prior to 15 October 2025’. This is not the first controversial case involving the American company. In April last year, Meta was fined €200 million for an alleged breach of the Digital Markets Act.
