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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, citing its updated WhatsApp policy, which is alleged to allow only its own AI chatbots to operate while restricting other artificial intelligence service providers from accessing the platform. The investigation centers on whether Meta is leveraging its dominant market position to hinder competition, which could have far-reaching effects on the European AI industry and the ecosystem of communication platforms.
The probe focuses on the business terms updated by WhatsApp in late October. The new policy explicitly prohibits third-party companies whose core product is artificial intelligence from distributing AI chatbots via the WhatsApp Business API. According to the terms, only if AI is an “incidental or auxiliary function” are relevant businesses allowed to use the API, while companies offering AI as their main service have been completely banned from access since October 15. For AI service providers already on the platform, the ban will take effect starting January 15, 2026.