EU launches antitrust investigation into Meta: WhatsApp AI policy accused of squeezing out competitors

The European Commission has officially launched an antitrust investigation into Meta over its updated WhatsApp policy, which allegedly allows only its own AI chatbot to operate while restricting other artificial intelligence service providers from accessing the platform. The investigation centers on whether Meta is using its market dominance to stifle competition, a move that could have far-reaching impacts on Europe’s AI industry and communications platform ecosystem.

The probe focuses on WhatsApp’s updated business terms introduced in late October. The new policy explicitly prohibits third-party companies whose core product is AI from distributing AI chatbots via the WhatsApp Business API. According to the terms, only companies for whom AI is an “ancillary or supplementary feature” are allowed to use the API, while companies whose primary service is AI have been completely banned from access as of October 15. For existing AI providers on the platform, the ban will take effect on January 15, 2026.

The European Commission expressed concern that this policy could prevent AI service providers from offering products to users in the European Economic Area via WhatsApp, thereby undermining market competition. Legal experts note that under EU antitrust law, regulators do not need to prove Meta’s subjective intent to exclude rivals—simply establishing that the policy could have exclusionary effects is sufficient to constitute abuse of dominance.

If Meta’s actions are ultimately found to contravene Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement, consequences could include hefty fines and mandatory corrective measures. These laws prohibit companies with market power from engaging in unfair practices that restrict competition, such as treating competitors differently or impeding their market entry.

Although Meta emphasizes that its policy aims to enhance platform security and user experience, the legal question, experts say, is whether these restrictions “substantially degrade the ability of rivals to compete in the AI sector.” If the answer is yes, the EU could rule against Meta even if the company argues the measures are for security reasons.

This investigation does not include Italy, as the Italian competition authority has separately filed charges against Meta over the same issue. The European Commission stated it will give priority to this case but emphasized that launching an investigation “does not prejudge the outcome.”