The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to evaluate whether Meta's recent policy regarding artificial intelligence (AI) providers' access to WhatsApp may violate EU competition regulations.

Meta's policy, introduced in October 2025, prohibits AI providers from utilizing the 'WhatsApp Business Solution' for primary services, although they can still use AI for ancillary functions like automated customer support. This restriction raises concerns that it may hinder third-party AI providers from delivering their services through WhatsApp within the European Economic Area (EEA).

Meta, a US-based technology company, offers various online communication services, including WhatsApp, which allows businesses to interact with customers. The Commission is particularly worried that the new policy could block competing AI providers from reaching their customers via WhatsApp, while Meta's own AI service, 'Meta AI', would remain accessible.

The investigation will cover the EEA, excluding Italy, to avoid overlapping with ongoing proceedings by the Italian Competition Authority regarding Meta's actions. If the investigation finds evidence of abuse of a dominant position, it could lead to significant legal consequences under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement.

This inquiry is part of the Commission's broader efforts to monitor AI markets in the EEA, following a consultation initiated in January 2024 and a policy paper published in September 2024. The Commission emphasizes the importance of ensuring that European citizens and businesses can fully benefit from advancements in AI technology without being stifled by dominant market players.