The European Commission is investigating Meta Platforms, Inc. for its new policy restricting AI providers’ access to WhatsApp, potentially breaching EU competition rules. The policy prohibits AI as the primary service from using the ‘WhatsApp Business Solution’. Concerns include blocking third party AI providers in the EEA from offering their services.

Meta’s new policy may hinder competing AI providers from reaching customers through WhatsApp, while Meta’s own AI service ‘Meta AI’ remains accessible. The update to WhatsApp terms and conditions for business users, effective since October 15, 2025, will impact both new and existing AI providers on the platform.

The formal antitrust probe by the European Commission will focus on the EEA, excluding Italy to avoid overlap with ongoing proceedings by the Italian Competition Authority. If found guilty, Meta’s practices could breach EU competition rules against abuse of dominant position and the EEA Agreement. This investigation is part of the Commission’s monitoring of AI markets in the EEA.

The Commission will conduct an in-depth investigation as a priority, following its consultation launched in January 2024. The outcome of the formal investigation is not predetermined, but it aims to ensure fair competition in AI markets within the EEA.

Read more at Nasdaq: EU Launches Formal Antitrust Probe Against Meta