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EU Probes Meta Over Potential AI Restrictions on WhatsApp

By  |  December 7, 2025

The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust inquiry into Meta over concerns that the tech giant may be unfairly restricting competitors who rely on artificial intelligence from accessing WhatsApp’s business features, according to Politico.

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    EU regulators announced Thursday that they are examining whether Meta’s latest rules for WhatsApp could amount to an abuse of its dominant position in the European Economic Area. The Commission is scrutinizing a new usage policy that bars AI-based service providers from integrating with the WhatsApp Business Solution if artificial intelligence is central to the service they offer. Per Politico, officials fear Meta’s own AI tools would continue to operate freely on the platform while rivals could be cut off from consumers.

    In a statement referenced by Politico, the Commission noted: “The Commission is concerned that such new policy may prevent third party AI providers from offering their services through WhatsApp in the European Economic Area.” The executive body warned that limiting access to WhatsApp — one of the most widely used messaging platforms in Europe — could create a competitive disadvantage for emerging AI companies.

    Related: Italy Expands Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s WhatsApp AI Integration

    While the EU’s investigation will apply across the region, Italy will proceed separately with its own case. Competition authorities in Rome had already opened a similar probe earlier this year, prompting the Commission to exclude Italy from the scope of its process to avoid duplication.

    Competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized the stakes of the inquiry, stating: “AI markets are booming in Europe and beyond. We must ensure European citizens and businesses can benefit fully of this technological revolution and act to prevent dominant digital incumbents from abusing their power to crowd out innovative competitors.”

    Meta, which owns WhatsApp, rejected the EU’s accusations. A spokesperson for the messaging service dismissed the claims as “baseless,” arguing that third-party AI chatbots were placing unexpected strain on infrastructure “that they were not designed to support.” They added that the AI sector is “highly competitive.”

    The Financial Times first reported signs of the coming antitrust move. Earlier in the week, the Commission confirmed to Politico that it had been reviewing complaints alleging Meta created roadblocks that effectively lock out other AI assistants from the platform.

    The investigation marks the latest effort by European regulators to closely monitor the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence — and ensure that the companies controlling major digital gateways do not tilt the playing field to their advantage.

    Source: Politico