EU launches antitrust investigation into Meta’s WhatsApp AI access policy

• The European Commission is launching an in-depth investigation into Meta
• WhatsApp’s AI policy could be hampering AI chatbot competition
• Meta could face a fine of $16.5 billion

The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Meta over whether its WhatsApp AI policy restricts competition by blocking rival AI chatbot providers.

Europe’s case covers most of the bloc, with the exception of Italy - which launched its own probe separately.

Per Meta’s updated WhatsApp Business API terms, third-party AI chatbots are banned from being distributed via WhatsApp if providing AI is their primary service.

WhatsApp’s AI policy has troubled the European Commission

The EU is worried that Meta might ...