Key Highlights:
- The EU has warned Meta that it may impose interim antitrust measures to stop the company from blocking third-party AI assistants on WhatsApp.
- Regulators say the temporary measures are meant to prevent harm to competition while the investigation into Meta’s WhatsApp AI policy is still ongoing.
- Meta has pushed back against the EU’s claims, arguing that WhatsApp is not a key distribution channel for AI tools and that users already have many AI options elsewhere.
Meta has been under the European Commission’s radar for multiple reasons in the past. Now, it seems Facebook’s parent company is yet again in hot water in the EU. This time, the issue that the EC has flagged is related to access for third-party AI assistants inside WhatsApp.
Late last year, the EU launched a probe into the matter. At the time, the EC said that its investigation would cover all regions in the EU except Italy, since the latter was already looking into Meta’s updated WhatsApp Business Solution Terms that block third-party AI chatbots inside WhatsApp. The Italian antitrust regulator later announced its decision, ordering Meta to suspend its WhatsApp policy blocking third-party AI chatbot access.
The European Commission warns Meta of possible interim antitrust measures
Fast forward to today, the European Commission has told Meta that it may impose interim antitrust measures to stop it from excluding third-party AI assistants from WhatsApp. The move comes as part of an ongoing investigation into whether Meta has breached the EU’s antitrust policy.
As reported by CNBC, EU officials say that interim measures are being considered to prevent damage to third-party players while the investigation continues. In other words, these measures will likely require Meta to grant access for third-party AI assistants under the rules that existed before the policy change.
Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera said that the EU’s goal is to stop major tech companies from abusing their market power to gain unfair advantages. She added that action is necessary to preserve competition and that Meta’s policy could irreversibly hamper the European AI ecosystem if left without scrutiny.
The Commission has further added that its initial findings aren’t finalized yet. That also means Meta still has the chance to respond and exercise its rights of defense before any order is passed.
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Meta has strongly criticized the European Commission
According to Reuters, Meta has strongly criticized the Commission’s position in this matter. The AI giant argues that EU regulators are overreaching. In a statement to the news agency, a Meta spokesperson said there is “no reason” for intervention in the WhatsApp Business API.
According to Meta, the Commission is wrongly treating WhatsApp as a critical distribution channel for AI chatbots. The company further claims that users already have plenty of AI options through app stores, devices, operating systems, websites, and industry partnerships.
“The Commission’s logic incorrectly assumes the WhatsApp Business API is a key distribution channel,” the spokesperson said, adding that competition in the AI space remains healthy in the European Union.
All that said, the investigation is still ongoing. However, given the direction the EC is moving in, it seems Meta could suffer another blow in the EU. We’ll keep you updated with every detail on this matter. Stay tuned!
