Meta Platforms will allow competing artificial intelligence chatbots to operate on WhatsApp in Europe for the next year as the company seeks to avoid potential interim measures from European Commission antitrust regulators.
The move follows complaints from AI developers that Meta had blocked rival chatbots from accessing WhatsApp while promoting its own Meta AI assistant on the platform. European regulators warned that the restrictions could harm competition and signalled they were considering temporary measures while investigating the issue.
Under the new arrangement, Meta said it will support third-party AI chatbots through the WhatsApp Business API for 12 months in Europe. The company argued that the policy change should remove the need for immediate regulatory intervention and allow time for the European Commission to complete its broader antitrust investigation.
The dispute reflects growing scrutiny of how large technology platforms integrate artificial intelligence tools into widely used services. EU authorities have been examining whether Meta’s policies give its own AI products an unfair advantage by limiting competitors’ access to WhatsApp, one of the world’s largest messaging platforms.
Rival AI providers have criticised the company’s approach, noting that access to WhatsApp will come through the paid Business API. Some developers argue the fee structure could create new barriers even as Meta formally opens the platform.
Meta has defended its earlier restrictions, saying the rapid rise of AI chatbots could place heavy strain on its systems and noting that developers can distribute their tools through other channels, such as app stores, websites, and email services.
The European Commission said it is assessing whether Meta’s latest concession addresses competition concerns and whether further regulatory steps are still necessary.
The temporary policy will also apply in Brazil, where a similar antitrust case involving AI access to WhatsApp is underway.
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