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European Commission Orders Meta Platforms to Reinstate WhatsApp Access for Rival AI Chatbots

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European Commission Orders Meta Platforms to Reinstate WhatsApp Access for Rival AI Chatbots

The European Commission ordered US-based Meta Platforms (FB2A.F) to restore free access to WhatsApp for rival artificial intelligence assistants until its ongoing antitrust investigation into the technology company is completed.

In a directive published late Tuesday, the Commission said the interim measures imposed on the owner of the social media platform WhatsApp will "prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition" in the expanding market for general-purpose AI assistants.

Before Oct. 15, 2025, businesses connecting their own systems to WhatsApp had the option to select AI tools besides Meta's own assistant, Meta AI. As Meta blocked access for competing AI providers, Brussels launched an antitrust investigation into the company in December 2025.

Meta reopened access for third-party general-purpose AI assistants on WhatsApp on March 4, with a fee that the commission said "is in practice equivalent to the previous access ban" at first sight. Now, the owner of Facebook and Instagram must restore free-of-charge access for all AI chatbots within five working days, the regulator ordered Tuesday.

"In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted. This is why these interim measures will remain in place for the duration of the investigation, in order to prevent harm that would be almost impossible to repair," said Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. "These interim measures will safeguard competition in the growing market for AI assistants, by preserving a key entry point to reach consumers in Europe - WhatsApp - and allowing AI companies to innovate, scale up and reach their full potential."

Meta plans to appeal against the decision, London's Financial Times reported the same day. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.

The company's Germany-traded stock was down 1% in midmorning trade on Wednesday.

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