The mandate follows a formal investigation launched in December 2025 regarding Meta’s alleged abuse of market dominance. After initially banning outside chatbots, Meta attempted to monetize the integration by charging a fee in March—a maneuver the Commission now explicitly rejects. Under the new directive, Meta must reinstate the platform's third-party access under the original, free-of-charge conditions that existed prior to the restrictions.
EU forces Meta to grant free WhatsApp access to rival AI
The European Commission has issued a rare interim order compelling Meta to restore free access to WhatsApp for third-party AI chatbots. Regulators deemed the move necessary to prevent irreparable damage to the AI market, marking only the second time in two decades that the EU has invoked such emergency antitrust powers.
European competition commissioner Teresa Ribera emphasized that the measure aims to secure a vital entry point for developers to reach consumers. By maintaining this gateway, the Commission hopes to prevent Meta from stifling competition before the broader legal probe concludes. Meta has been given until June 15th to bring its systems into compliance, while the primary antitrust investigation remains active with no fixed end date.
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