The European Commission has directed Meta to grant free access to competing artificial intelligence assistants within WhatsApp, as reported by Politico. This interim measure will remain in effect during the ongoing antitrust investigation into Meta’s practices.
Previously, Meta allowed third-party AI integrations on WhatsApp until October 2025, when it began imposing fees for such access. The EU contends that this move was designed to stifle competition, a claim that Meta disputes, asserting that its AI interface was never intended for third-party chatbot use.
This development mirrors Apple’s recent challenges with the EU. Apple has delayed the launch of Siri AI in European Union countries due to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires the company to support third-party virtual assistants on its devices. Apple expressed disappointment over the delay, stating, “We’re deeply disappointed that our EU users won’t have Siri AI on iPhone or iPad when we share our new software releases later this year.”
These regulatory actions underscore the EU’s commitment to fostering competition and preventing tech giants from monopolizing AI services within their platforms. For consumers, this could lead to a more diverse range of AI options integrated into popular apps like WhatsApp, enhancing user choice and innovation.
Source: 9to5Mac
