Meta Platforms will allow artificial intelligence chatbots on WhatsApp for a year in Europe, seeking to avoid temporary orders from EU antitrust regulators. The company blocked rival AI services on January 15, permitting only its own Meta AI assistant. Competitors had complained to regulators about being shut out of the messaging platform.

EU competition enforcers threatened interim measures last month, citing potential serious harm to rivals. Meta told the European Commission it will enable general-purpose AI chatbots through the WhatsApp Business API for a fee. The company argued this gives regulators time to complete their investigation while addressing concerns about system strain from multiple chatbots.

The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com AI assistant, criticized Meta's move as insufficient. CEO Marvin von Hagen said the pricing structure creates new barriers equivalent to the original ban. Meta's policy change also applies in Brazil following a court decision reinstating an antitrust injunction.