EU Orders Meta to Reopen WhatsApp to Rival AI Chatbots Amid Appeals

The European Commission has directed Meta to reopen its WhatsApp Business API to rival AI chatbots within five days, following a policy change that restricted access to only Meta's AI. This decision marks an escalation in an ongoing antitrust dispute that began after Meta blocked competitors from its platform in October 2025.

Meta's new policy, which allowed only its AI integration on WhatsApp, took effect in January 2026. The European Commission initiated its investigation in December 2025, examining whether Meta abused its dominant market position by making WhatsApp's AI access exclusive to itself. Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera stated, "In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted."

The Commission's order mandates that Meta must reinstate access for general-purpose AI assistants to the WhatsApp Business API under the same conditions that existed prior to the change. Meta has expressed its intention to appeal the decision, calling it "regulatory overreach" and arguing that it equates to subsidizing large companies like OpenAI at the expense of European businesses.

Meta's appeal will likely hinge on claims that the Commission's actions undermine its business model and stifle innovation. As the investigation proceeds, the potential for penalties looms large; non-compliance could result in fines up to 10% of Meta's global revenue.

The ramifications of this case extend beyond Meta and WhatsApp, underscoring the broader tension between AI companies seeking to expand their distribution channels and regulatory authorities aiming to foster competition and consumer choice in rapidly changing tech markets.