EU Regulators Question Meta Over Blocking Rival AI Chatbots On WhatsApp

Meta Platforms has blocked AI chatbots from companies such as Microsoft, OpenAI, and Perplexity AI from running on WhatsApp.

The move followed a decision to restrict third-party access to its business API, with new rules taking effect on January 15, 2026. As a result, services including ChatGPT disabled their bots on WhatsApp. Meta said businesses had integrated AI assistants for general users through the API and updated its policies to prevent such use. Regulators in Brussels said the changes may breach EU antitrust rules designed to prevent exclusion of rivals. Authorities in Italy have already required changes for their region.

Meta said there is no reason for EU intervention and noted that users can access AI chatbots on other platforms.