TL;DR
The European Commission has asked Meta to suspend new WhatsApp Business terms that prevent third parties from offering AI services through the platform. The Commission argues WhatsApp Business is an “important entry point” for AI chatbots and that Meta is abusing its dominant position to shut out competitors.
Commission Takes Aim at WhatsApp Business Terms
The dispute centres on updated WhatsApp Business terms of service that took effect on 15 January. Under the new terms, third-party providers are restricted from offering AI chatbot services through WhatsApp, effectively limiting the platform’s AI capabilities to Meta’s own products.
The European Commission’s competition team views this as a competition issue. They argue that WhatsApp Business serves as a significant gateway for businesses to deploy AI-powered customer service tools, and that Meta’s restrictions unfairly prevent rival AI providers from reaching users through the platform.
Competition commissioner Teresa Ribera stated that the Commission must protect effective competition, signalling a willingness to act if Meta does not voluntarily adjust its terms. The EU has the power to impose interim measures — temporary orders that would force Meta to change its practices while a full investigation continues.
Meta Pushes Back
Meta has responded by saying there is “no reason” for EU intervention, suggesting the company views the updated terms as within its rights as a platform operator. The dispute is not the first of its kind in Europe: Italy previously asked Meta to suspend the same terms, though that request applied only within Italian borders.
The timing adds another dimension. Meta introduced AI features into WhatsApp across Europe in March, following a delay while the company navigated the EU’s regulatory requirements. The new terms appear designed to consolidate Meta’s control over AI functionality on the platform just as these features are gaining traction.
Looking Forward
The case could set a precedent for how dominant messaging platforms are expected to accommodate third-party AI services. If the Commission pursues interim measures, it would represent one of the most direct regulatory interventions in AI platform competition to date. For businesses that depend on WhatsApp as a customer communication channel, the outcome will determine whether they can choose their own AI tools or remain limited to what Meta provides.