The European Commission has formally charged Meta Platforms with breaching EU competition rules over its policy restricting access for rival artificial intelligence services on its WhatsApp messaging platform. The antitrust watchdog issued a statement of objections to Meta on February 9, 2026, alleging that a policy change enacted on January 15, 2026, which allows only Meta's own AI assistant to operate on WhatsApp, illegally stifles competition.
The Commission's preliminary view is that Meta, leveraging WhatsApp's vast user base, is using its dominant position to favor its own AI services, potentially "restricting choice and limiting opportunities for rival AI developers to reach users." Regulators are concerned this could cause serious and irreparable harm to competition if the policy remains during the investigation, as rival AI providers could be locked out of a critical distribution channel.
In a significant escalation, the Commission has signaled its intention to consider interim measures to prevent potential market damage while the probe continues. EU Antitrust Commissioner Teresa Ribera emphasized the goal is to "ensure effective competition in this innovative and competitive sector" and prevent large platforms from creating an unfair advantage. This action aligns with a similar interim order issued by Italy's competition authority against Meta late last year.
Meta has strongly defended its policy, arguing the Commission has "misinterpreted how AI-powered services are delivered to users" and incorrectly identified the WhatsApp Business API as a major distribution channel for chatbots. The company stated the January rollout was intended to improve user experience, not block competitors. The case highlights growing global regulatory scrutiny over how tech giants integrate AI into dominant platforms, with divergent outcomes seen in jurisdictions like Brazil, where a court recently suspended a similar antitrust measure against Meta.
