This is an interim measure while the European Commission investigates the ban.
The European Union has ordered Meta to open WhatsApp again for free to AI chatbots from rival companies, as part of an investigation into the messaging app’s owner over possible antitrust violations. Meta introduced a new policy in October 2025 banning third-party AI chatbots from the WhatsApp for Business API, making Meta AI the only chatbot that can access the service. Before the ban, businesses could send notifications via WhatsApp, such as order alerts, using other AI assistants.
EU officials opened an antitrust investigation into the new policy in December, then warned the company earlier this year that it could take interim action against it. In its announcement, the commission explained that Meta has held a dominant position in the European messaging app market since at least 2023. As such, Meta appears to be abusing its dominant position by preventing competing AI assistants from using the WhatsApp API.
He also mentioned that Meta revised its policy in early March, allowing third-party AI assistants to access WhatsApp for a fee. However, the commission did not consider the offer of paid access to be preferable to an outright ban. The commission believes there is an “urgent need” to implement measures to avoid permanent harm to the market while its investigation is ongoing.
With this order, Meta is required to reinstate its terms and conditions for third-party AI assistants for WhatsApp before implementing the policy change in October 2025. Additionally, the interim measure it imposed on the company must remain in effect until its investigation is completed. “In rapidly changing markets, competition can disappear long before a final decision is adopted,” EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said. According to the Wall Street Journalshe also told reporters at a press event that she thought the fees Meta charged for third-party access were too high. Meanwhile, Meta told the Newspaper he would appeal the decision. The company argued that the EU order constituted a regulatory overreach that would allow some of the world’s largest companies to access the WhatsApp Business API without paying.
