The European Union has warned Meta, the company that owns WhatsApp, that it must allow other artificial intelligence chatbots to operate on the messaging app. EU officials believe Meta is using its control over WhatsApp to block rival AI services and give its own chatbot an unfair advantage.
WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps in the world, with billions of users. Recently, Meta made changes that allowed its own AI assistant to work smoothly on WhatsApp while limiting or blocking access for other AI chatbots. The EU says this move could harm competition and reduce choices for users.
According to EU regulators, blocking other AI tools makes it harder for smaller companies to compete and grow. They argue that when one company controls a major platform like WhatsApp, it should not use that power to push out rivals. The EU wants to ensure that users can choose from different AI services instead of being limited to just one option.
The European Commission has formally raised concerns and asked Meta to explain its actions. This is a serious step that could lead to fines or legal action if Meta does not follow EU competition rules. Regulators are also considering temporary measures that would force Meta to reopen WhatsApp to other AI chatbots while the investigation continues.
Meta has disagreed with the EU’s position. The company says users can still access other AI tools through apps, websites, and different platforms outside WhatsApp. Meta also claims that WhatsApp was not designed to support third-party AI chatbots in the first place.
This issue highlights the growing tension between big technology companies and governments. As artificial intelligence becomes more important in daily life, regulators are paying closer attention to how powerful tech firms use their platforms.
The final decision in this case could have a major impact on how AI services work on popular apps. It may also shape future rules on digital competition and user choice across Europe and beyond.
