The European Commission has ordered Meta to provide rival AI chatbots free access to the WhatsApp Business API, reinstating terms that existed before the company blocked competitors in October 2025. The regulator imposed interim measures during an ongoing antitrust probe, warning that non-compliance could result in fines of up to 10% of Meta’s global revenue. Meta has called the decision “regulatory overreach” and stated it will appeal.
The European Commission ordered Meta on Monday to give rival AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp’s business messaging tools. This escalates an antitrust fight that began when Meta blocked competitors from its platform last October, as reported.
Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera said the interim measures would remain for the investigation’s duration. “In rapidly evolving markets, competition can be lost long before a final decision is adopted,” she said in a statement.
The order requires Meta to restore access for third-party AI assistants to the WhatsApp Business API. They must operate under the same terms that existed before the ban.
Meta called the decision “regulatory overreach” and said it would appeal. “The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world can use the paid-for WhatsApp Business product for free,” the company stated.
The Commission’s probe started after Meta changed its policy to allow only Meta AI on WhatsApp. The investigation centers on whether Meta abused its dominant position in European messaging markets.
Ribera emphasized the decision “preserved choice for citizens across Europe on the AI assistants they want to use with WhatsApp.” Non-compliance could trigger fines up to 10% of Meta‘s total global turnover.
Meta has five working days to comply with the Commission’s order while it plans its appeal. The policy shift had taken effect on January 15, though existing providers were cut off in October 2025.
