EU Orders Meta to Restore Rival AI Chatbot Access on WhatsApp

*The European Commission has directed Meta to reopen WhatsApp to third-party AI chatbots to avert harm to competition.*

Meta must stop blocking rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp, the European Commission ruled. The order requires the company to restore free access to those services.

The decision addresses Meta's prior restrictions that limited third-party AI chatbots inside the messaging app. The Commission stated the move prevents serious and irreparable harm to competition.

No technical details on implementation timelines or enforcement mechanisms appear in the announcements. The two sources align on the core requirement without contradiction.

Why it matters

Meta's control over WhatsApp gives it leverage to favor its own AI tools over competitors. Forcing open access changes the terms under which developers can reach WhatsApp's user base. The ruling signals that EU regulators will act quickly when platform owners use integration points to limit rival services.

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Sources:

• Engadget
• Thurrott

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