The European Commission has formally launched an investigation into Meta’s recently announced policy restricting access to WhatsApp’s Business Solution for AI providers. The inquiry, announced Thursday, centers on concerns that the policy may constitute an abuse of Meta’s dominant market position and stifle competition within the rapidly expanding European AI sector.
The policy, slated to take effect in October 2025, effectively bars AI companies from directly offering services through WhatsApp’s Business Solution. While AI tools can still be utilized for supplementary functionalities, such as automated customer support, businesses primarily offering AI-driven services will be excluded. This move has drawn scrutiny from Brussels, which fears it erects a barrier for third-party AI providers attempting to reach European customers within the European Economic Area (EEA).
The Commission’s investigation, encompassing the entirety of the EEA excluding Italy – to avoid overlapping with an existing case handled by Italian antitrust authorities – will assess whether Meta’s actions violate EU competition law. A finding of infringement could be interpreted as a violation of antitrust regulations and carry significant penalties.
EU Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera underscored the importance of fostering an open and competitive AI landscape stating, “AI markets are booming in Europe and beyond. We must ensure that European citizens and businesses can fully benefit from this technological revolution and take action to prevent dominant digital companies from abusing their power to squeeze out innovative competitors”. Ribera’s statement signaled a broader push by the Commission to actively monitor and regulate the power of large tech firms in the EU, particularly concerning potentially anti-competitive practices leveraging widespread platforms. The investigation raises critical questions about the balance between fostering innovation and preventing market dominance within the emerging AI industry.
