WhatsApp has been ordered to host rival AI assistants for free

The European Commission has ordered Meta to restore free access to WhatsApp for chatbots created by rival AI providers while the regulator concludes its antitrust investigations. Rare temporary measure Announced on Tuesday This was deemed necessary to “prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition” in the general-purpose AI assistant market.

This is only the second time the EU has used emergency power in more than 20 years. POLITICO Reports. And it follows Launch an official investigation In December 2025 on whether Meta was abusing its market dominance by banning third-party AI chatbots from its WhatsApp messaging platform. Meta later regained access to competing chatbots “For a fee” in Marchapparently in Violation of European Union competition rules. Now, the Commission is ordering Meta to restore access to WhatsApp to third-party AI competitors under the same terms and conditions as before the ban, which was “particularly free.”

“In rapidly developing markets, competition can be lost long before the final decision is adopted. That is why these interim measures will remain in place for the duration of the investigation, in order to prevent damage that is almost impossible to repair,” European Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera said in a statement. “These temporary measures will protect competition in the growing market for AI assistants, by maintaining a key entry point for reaching consumers in Europe – WhatsApp – and allowing AI companies to innovate, scale and reach their full potential.”

Meta has until June 15 to comply. The broader antitrust investigation continues, with no date set for a legal outcome. If Meta ignores the order, it could face fines of up to 10% of annual revenue, or about $20 billion, based on 2025 earnings.

In a statement to POLITICOA Meta spokesperson dismissed the case as baseless and said the company plans to appeal the matter:

“The European Commission has decided that OpenAI and some of the world’s largest companies can use the paid WhatsApp Business product for free. This is a regulatory bypass supported by many European companies that pay.”