EU Targets Meta’s WhatsApp AI Restrictions in Antitrust Move
The European Union has escalated its antitrust probe into Meta Platforms, issuing formal charges over WhatsApp's AI access policies. Regulators allege Meta's January update—which prioritizes its Meta AI Assistant while restricting rivals—constitutes anticompetitive behavior in the messaging sector.
EU Antitrust Commissioner Teresa Ribera framed the action as protective: "We must prevent dominant platforms from distorting competition, especially in fast-evolving sectors like AI." The bloc is considering interim measures to prevent irreparable market damage during investigations.
The MOVE mirrors Italy's 2023 crackdown on Meta's chatbot restrictions, signaling coordinated EU scrutiny of Big Tech's AI strategies. Notably absent from Meta's defense are Web3 alternatives like Ethereum-based messaging or decentralized AI projects such as FET or AGIX.