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EU orders Meta to reopen WhatsApp to AI rivals

NEWS

June 9, 2026 at 17:23 UTC

3 min read
Smartphone with messaging app open as EU rules impact AI chatbot access on major platform

Key Points

  • 01EU issues interim antitrust order forcing Meta (META) to reopen WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots
  • 02Meta (META) must restore pre‑October, free WhatsApp Business API access within five working days
  • 03Order follows complaints from AI assistant developers including Poke.com’s owner and Agentik
  • 04Non‑compliance could cost Meta (META) fines of up to 10% of global annual turnover

EU moves against Meta over WhatsApp access for AI

The European Commission has imposed interim antitrust measures on Meta, ordering the company to restore free access to WhatsApp for rival general‑purpose AI assistants. The decision, announced in Brussels on 9 June, targets Meta’s treatment of competitors seeking to use the WhatsApp Business API.

The action focuses on whether Meta used its control over WhatsApp to restrict competing AI chatbot services. It is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged abuse of market power in the fast‑developing market for AI assistants.

Complaints from AI assistant developers

The Commission’s intervention follows complaints from several AI companies. These include The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com AI assistant, French AI startup Agentik and a Spanish rival whose name was not specified in the available material.

Complainants argued that changes to WhatsApp access harmed their ability to offer services on equal terms. Regulators responded by opening an investigation in December, later expanding the case as Meta’s policies evolved.

From blocking access to paid access

According to the Commission’s findings to date, Meta barred rival AI services from accessing the WhatsApp Business API in October. This effectively blocked competing assistants from integrating with the messaging platform.

In March, Meta allowed competitors back onto the platform but only under a paid model. EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera stated that the resulting access fees were so high they were not economically sustainable for competitors, raising concerns over exclusionary effects.

Terms of the interim order

Under the interim measure, Meta must restore rivals’ access to the WhatsApp Business API on the same terms and conditions that applied before October. The company has five working days to implement this change.

The order will stay in force while the Commission’s investigation continues, or at the latest until June 2029. The Commission has said it is using interim powers to prevent potential serious and irreparable damage to competition while the full case is assessed.

Meta’s response and potential penalties

Meta has sharply criticised the decision, calling it regulatory overreach. The company argued that the order effectively allows OpenAI and other large firms to use the paid‑for WhatsApp Business product for free.

Meta has stated that it will appeal the interim measures. If the company fails to comply with the order, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover under EU antitrust rules.

Key Takeaways

  • 01EU regulators are using interim powers to preserve competition in AI assistants while a broader abuse‑of‑dominance probe into Meta continues.
  • 02Restoring pre‑October, free WhatsApp API terms is central to ensuring smaller AI startups can continue to operate alongside larger players.
  • 03Meta’s decision to appeal sets up a multi‑year legal contest, but it must comply quickly or risk significant financial penalties during the process.

References

  1. https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-regulators-order-meta-allow-rival-ai-chatbots-free-access-whatsapp-2026-06-09/
  2. https://apnews.com/article/meta-whatsapp-european-union-8b4b48acb23acf5686f141a276bb868d
  3. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-09/meta-ordered-by-eu-to-halt-whatsapp-curbs-on-ai-rivals
  4. https://www.news4jax.com/business/2026/06/09/eu-orders-meta-to-restore-whatsapp-access-for-rival-ai-chatbots/