The European Commission ordered Meta on Monday to restore rival AI chatbots' free access to WhatsApp's business messaging tools, escalating an antitrust dispute. The case stems from Meta's policy change last October that blocked third-party AI assistants from the WhatsApp Business API, reserving integrations for its own Meta AI. The order, announced by Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera, requires Meta to reinstate access under pre-ban terms while an investigation continues. Meta slammed the decision as "regulatory overreach" and vowed to appeal, stating that it forces the company to provide free access to competitors like OpenAI. Non-compliance could result in fines up to 10% of Meta's global revenue. The Commission's probe, started in December 2025, examines whether Meta abused its dominant position in European messaging markets. Ribera emphasized the measures preserve user choice. The case highlights broader tensions between AI companies seeking distribution on major platforms and platform owners monetizing access. Separately, a May study found that ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Perplexity share user data with third-party trackers including Meta, Google, and TikTok, even when users opt out. Meta has five working days to comply.

Key facts

• EU orders Meta to restore rival AI chatbot access to WhatsApp Business API.
• Meta calls decision 'regulatory overreach', plans appeal.
• Potential fines up to 10% of Meta's global revenue for non-compliance.
• Commission probe examines abuse of dominance in messaging markets.
• Study finds ChatGPT, Grok share data with third-party trackers.