The European Commission (EC) has opened a formal antitrust investigation into Meta’s new policy on WhatsApp that restricts how third-party AI providers can use the platform’s business tools. The core concern is that Meta is abusing its dominant position to favor its own AI service, Meta AI, by blocking competitors from reaching customers via the popular WhatsApp Business Solution.
Meta’s new policy prohibits third-party AI providers from using the WhatsApp Business Solution API if AI is their primary service offering. They can still use it for ancillary functions (like automated customer support).
The EC is concerned this prevents rival AI assistants/providers from accessing customers on WhatsApp, while Meta AI remains freely accessible. The investigation is being conducted under Article 102 of the TFEU (prohibition of abuse of a dominant position) and the parallel Article 54 of the EEA Agreement.
The probe covers the entire European Economic Area (EEA), excluding Italy, which is running its own parallel investigation launched earlier this year.
The new policy took effect immediately for new AI providers (Oct 2025) and is set to apply to existing providers starting January 15, 2026.
