EU Orders Meta To Restore Free WhatsApp Access For Rival AI Chatbots

The European Commission has directed Meta Platforms to restore free access to WhatsApp’s Business API for rival artificial intelligence chatbot providers while an antitrust investigation into the company’s practices continues.

The interim measure follows complaints from AI firms, including OpenAI competitors, which alleged that Meta restricted access to WhatsApp while allowing its own Meta AI service to operate on the platform. The Commission opened a formal investigation in December 2025 and subsequently issued charges alleging potential breaches of European Union competition rules. Under the order, Meta must reinstate access for competing AI services on the same terms that existed before October 2025, when access restrictions were introduced. The company has been given five working days to comply.

The regulator said Meta’s pricing structure for access introduced earlier this year could make it difficult for competitors to operate on the platform. The interim order will remain in effect until the investigation concludes or until June 2029, whichever comes first.

Meta has said it disagrees with the decision and plans to appeal. The company argued that the order allows rival firms to use a service for which other businesses pay. If found to have violated EU antitrust rules, Meta could face penalties of up to 10% of its annual global turnover.