The European Commission orders Meta to restore free access to WhatsApp for rival general-purpose AI assistants while it carries out an antitrust investigation. The Commission says the decision to impose interim measures is necessary to prevent “serious and irreparable damage to competition” in the fast-growing market for general-purpose AI assistants. The order requires Meta to make WhatsApp access available to competing AI assistant providers on a free basis and to keep that access in place until the Commission’s investigation concludes at the end of the probe.
The Commission describes its concerns as initial findings that Meta’s conduct may infringe EU competition rules, while acknowledging that the investigation is ongoing. Multiple outlets report the Commission announced the measures as a rare step, reflecting the urgency it attributes to potential market harm.
Meta is reported to plan to appeal the Commission’s decision. The outlets also note a specific implementation deadline referenced in reporting, requiring Meta to act within days, and they frame the interim order as an effort to preserve competitive conditions during the regulator’s review.
