The European Commission has sent a statement of objections to Meta, setting out its preliminary view that Meta has breached EU antitrust laws by excluding third party AI assistants from accessing and interacting with users on WhatsApp. The Commission considers that this risks blocking competitors from entering or expanding in the growing market for AI assistants. Therefore, the Commission intends to impose interim measures to prevent this policy change causing serious harm to the market.
Meta operates online advertising services and virtual and augmented reality products in addition to providing a general-purpose AI assistant in Meta AI. In October 2025, Meta announced an update of its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, significantly limiting third-party general-purpose AI assistants on the app. Since January 2026, the only AI assistant available on WhatsApp is Meta AI, while competitors have been excluded. The Commission finds that this breaches EU competition rules.
The Commission has outlined its preliminary conclusions. Meta is likely to be dominant in the European Economic Area (EEA) market for consumer communication applications, notably through WhatsApp. Meta is likely to be abusing the dominant market position it holds by refusing access to WhatsApp for other businesses, including third-party AI assistants. The Commission considers that WhatsApp is an important entry point to enable general-purpose AI assistants to reach consumers. Finally, the Commission finds that there is an urgent need for protective measures due to damage to market competition and Meta’s conduct risks raising barriers to entry and expansion, marginalising smaller competitors in the market for general purpose AI assistants.
The Statement of Objections sent to Meta covers the EEA, except for Italy, where the Italian Competition Authority imposed its own interim measures on Meta in December 2025. Meta can now examine the documents in the Commission’s investigation file, reply in writing, and request a hearing to present its case before the Commission and national competition authorities.
