The European Union ordered Meta to reinstate free access to WhatsApp's business API for rival AI chatbots while regulators investigate potential antitrust violations. The interim measure requires Meta to reverse its October 2025 policy that blocked third-party AI assistants, making Meta AI the sole chatbot available on the platform.

Meta's policy change prevented companies from sending customer notifications through WhatsApp using alternative AI assistants, a service that was previously allowed. EU officials launched their antitrust investigation in December, arguing that Meta has dominated Europe's messaging app market since 2023 and is abusing that position to stifle competition.

When Meta revised its stance in March to offer paid access for third-party chatbots, regulators rejected this compromise as inadequate. Competition chief Teresa Ribera stated the proposed fees were too high and emphasized that rapid market evolution means competition can disappear before investigations conclude.

Meta plans to appeal the decision, characterizing it as regulatory overreach that would force the company to provide free API access to major corporations. The interim order remains effective until the EU completes its investigation, which could reshape how AI assistants integrate with messaging platforms across Europe.