The European Union has sent a clear message to Meta regarding its control over WhatsApp. The European Commission is preparing an order that could force Meta to open its popular messaging app to competing AI assistants, escalating a significant battle over competition in the digital age.
This conflict began in October 2025, when Meta updated WhatsApp's terms to effectively block third-party AI assistants. This move reserved the platform exclusively for its own Meta AI, creating what regulators saw as an unfair advantage. By leveraging WhatsApp's massive user base, Meta could ensure its own AI assistant became the default choice for millions, potentially stifling the growth of innovative rivals before they even had a chance to compete.
Regulators were quick to respond. First, Italy’s competition authority imposed temporary measures in December 2025, ordering Meta to suspend the policy. Soon after, the European Commission launched its own formal antitrust investigation. The core concern was that Meta was abusing its dominant position as a 'gatekeeper'—a term from the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) that refers to large online platforms with the power to control access to markets.
Feeling the pressure, Meta attempted a compromise in March 2026. It announced it would allow rival AIs on WhatsApp in Europe, but for a price. This shifted the debate from a simple yes-or-no on access to a more complex question: were the terms of access fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory? For the EU, this fee-based model raised new concerns about whether Meta was creating new barriers to entry, even while appearing to open up.
This brings us to the latest development. The Commission's supplementary Statement of Objections indicates that Meta's proposed fix wasn't good enough. Regulators are now scrutinizing the details of Meta's fee structure and technical requirements, signaling they are prepared to issue a direct order to mandate a truly level playing field. It's no longer just about allowing access; it's about ensuring that access is meaningful.
Ultimately, this case is a landmark test for the DMA. The outcome will not only determine the future of AI assistants on WhatsApp but also set a crucial precedent for how dominant tech platforms can operate in new, emerging markets. It's a clear signal that regulators are watching closely to ensure that the giants of today don't shut the door on the innovators of tomorrow.
- Statement of Objections (SO): A formal step in an antitrust investigation where the European Commission informs the parties concerned in writing of the objections raised against them.
- Digital Markets Act (DMA): A set of EU regulations aimed at making the digital economy fairer and more contestable by imposing specific obligations on large online platforms, or 'gatekeepers'.
- Gatekeeper: A term under the DMA for a large digital platform that provides a core link between business users and consumers and can act as a bottleneck in the digital economy.