Meta Accused by Brussels: WhatsApp and AI Competition

Meta vs. the European Commission: A Battle Over WhatsApp

The European Commission has recently targeted Meta, accusing it of exploiting its dominant position on WhatsApp to sideline third-party AI assistants. This accusation was made public on Wednesday, alongside the announcement of provisional measures being considered by Brussels. The aim of these measures is to compel Meta to reopen its WhatsApp platform to competing AI assistants, a move intended to restore fair competition.

On April 15, the Commission intensified its criticism of Meta, highlighting the restrictions imposed on third-party AI assistant developers on WhatsApp. Meta, which also owns Facebook and Instagram, had attempted to ease tensions in March by introducing a royalty system to replace a ban set for October 2025. However, the Commission remains skeptical, believing that this strategy does not fundamentally change the situation and is preparing emergency measures to restore competition.

The WhatsApp Changes That Provoked Brussels' Anger

On October 15, Meta modified the terms of use for WhatsApp Business, the professional version of its messaging app. This change, although subtle, had major implications. Starting January 15, 2026, AI assistants developed by third-party companies will no longer be able to integrate with WhatsApp or interact with its users. Only the Meta AI assistant would be permitted. This decision immediately raised concerns in Brussels.

In response, on December 4, 2025, the European Commission initiated a formal procedure against Meta. On February 9, 2026, it issued a statement of objections, an official document detailing the accusations against the company. According to Brussels, Meta has violated EU competition rules by using its dominant position to restrict competitors' access to WhatsApp, thereby limiting choices for its two billion users.

Under increasing pressure, Meta responded. On March 2, 2026, the company officially addressed the Commission's accusations. Two days later, it announced a revised policy that seemingly lifted the ban. However, access for competing AI assistants is now conditioned on the payment of a royalty to Meta. While access is technically possible, it remains financially prohibitive, which has not convinced Brussels.

Royalty or Ban: A Criticized Strategy by Meta

For the European Commission, Meta's new policy merely disguises the initial ban in another form. In its supplementary statement of objections on April 15, Brussels concluded that the royalty imposed on third-party AI assistants has the same effect as an outright ban. By making access to WhatsApp costly, Meta continues to hinder competition in a rapidly expanding AI market.

Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President of the Commission, stated that excluding competitors in fast-evolving markets like AI is precisely the type of behavior that the provisional measures aim to combat. The Commission therefore plans to impose emergency measures to restore access conditions to those prior to October 15, 2025, until a final decision is made.

Meanwhile, the investigation has been expanded to Italy, in collaboration with the Italian competition authority, which had been conducting its own inquiry. The case now covers the entire European Economic Area. Meta retains its right to respond, and these provisional measures do not prejudge the final verdict, but the message sent to the United States is clear and unequivocal.