The European Commission has expressed its preliminary belief that Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has breached antitrust laws. This conclusion arises from an investigation into the company's restrictions on third-party AI assistants within the app. As a result, the EU is contemplating implementing "interim measures" to ensure that competition in the AI assistant market remains viable during the ongoing inquiry.
Concerns were raised following Meta's announcement in October regarding updates to its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. The Commission argued that a change set for January 15 would effectively restrict access to AI options, favoring Meta's own offerings. In light of this, the investigation was initiated on December 4.
Teresa Ribera, the executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, emphasized the necessity of maintaining competition, stating that dominant tech firms should not exploit their positions unfairly. Meta has responded quickly, asserting that there are numerous AI alternatives available beyond the WhatsApp platform, including options from app stores and partnerships.