Meta Opens WhatsApp to Rival AI Chatbots in Europe Under Regulatory Pressure
Meta Platforms Inc. will permit competing AI chatbots to operate on WhatsApp in Europe for a 12-month period, though access comes at a cost. The concession follows threats of interim measures by the European Commission after Meta initially barred rivals from the platform in January.
The company framed the move as a temporary compromise, allowing third-party AI services via WhatsApp's Business API while regulators complete their investigation. A Meta spokesperson characterized the arrangement as eliminating the need for immediate regulatory intervention.
Critics argue the fee-based access model maintains artificial barriers to competition. The policy shift extends to Brazil following a court-ordered antitrust injunction, signaling Meta's reactive approach to global regulatory pressures.
