• The EU has opened an antitrust investigation into Meta's AI integration in WhatsApp.
• Concerns arise that Meta's policy may block third-party AI services.
• The investigation aims to prevent potential monopolistic practices in the AI sector.
• Meta's own AI service, Meta AI, remains accessible while rivals face restrictions.
• This inquiry comes amidst ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Big Tech in Europe.

The European Union has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms concerning its recent rollout of artificial intelligence features in WhatsApp. The European Commission announced on December 4 that it is scrutinizing whether Meta's new policy could infringe upon competition rules by potentially blocking third-party AI providers' access to the platform. This probe highlights ongoing regulatory efforts within the EU to curtail the dominance of major technology companies, particularly in light of rising concerns over their power in the digital marketplace, according to Dawn, Le Monde, and India Times.

The investigation primarily focuses on Meta's policy implemented in October, which prohibits artificial intelligence companies from utilizing WhatsApp's Business Solution when AI is their primary offering, while allowing Meta's AI service, known as Meta AI, unrestricted access. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that the Commission aims to prevent large digital companies from abusing their market power and “crowding out innovative competitors.” Authorities are considering whether temporary measures might be needed to halt Meta's policy until the investigation concludes, as the AI sector is undergoing rapid expansion, according to The Jakarta Post and Le Monde.

Major AI providers like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft's Copilot have already announced their withdrawal from WhatsApp due to these restrictions, which are set to take full effect on January 15, 2026, for existing providers. This has raised alarms about the future availability of competitive AI solutions on the platform, potentially leaving Meta AI as the only option for users. Meta has dismissed the claims as "baseless," asserting that these chatbots are putting strain on WhatsApp's systems and that the AI market remains competitive, according to India Times and The Jakarta Post.

This regulatory action follows a parallel investigation initiated by Italy's antitrust authority in July, examining whether Meta's integration of its AI tool into WhatsApp constitutes an abuse of its dominant market position. The EU's inquiry underscores its commitment to ensuring fair competition in the digital market, with potential penalties for Meta amounting to as much as 10 percent of its global annual turnover if found guilty of violating EU regulations, according to Dawn, Le Monde, and India Times.