BRUSSELS: European Union regulators are threatening interim measures against Meta Platforms Inc. over a controversial new policy that could block rival artificial-intelligence services from operating within its popular WhatsApp messaging app, signaling growing competition concerns in the fast-evolving AI sector.
The European Commission has been investigating Meta’s updated WhatsApp Business API terms, introduced in October 2025 and fully applicable from Jan. 15, 2026, which bar most third-party AI chatbots from using the platform when AI is the primary service offered. The move could clear the way for Meta’s own Meta AI assistant to dominate the space, regulators say, potentially stifling competition across the European Economic Area.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera told reporters the Commission is weighing whether to impose interim restrictions to prevent what Brussels sees as irreparable harm to the marketplace before a final decision in its formal probe. The Commission’s investigation examines whether the policy constitutes an abuse of a dominant market position under EU competition rules.
“AI markets are booming in Europe and beyond. We must ensure European citizens and businesses can benefit fully from this technological revolution and act to prevent dominant digital incumbents from abusing their power to crowd out innovative competitors,” Ribera told the Commission when the antitrust investigation commenced in December.
The potential interim intervention, allowed under EU competition law, would seek to pause the WhatsApp AI policy’s rollout while the antitrust investigation continues. Regulators have received complaints from smaller AI developers who warn the change could shut out their services on one of the world’s largest communication platforms.
Meta has disputed that its policy harms competition, arguing that the technical strain of external AI systems on its API drove the decision and that users can access rival AI services through many other channels. The Commission could ultimately fine Meta up to 10 % of its global annual turnover if it finds violations of EU rules.