EC launches new probe into Meta over WhatsApp AI integration
By Josh White
Date: Thursday 04 Dec 2025
(Sharecast News) - The European Commission launched an antitrust investigation into Meta over concerns that new business terms governing artificial intelligence providers' access to WhatsApp could stifle competition, according to a report in the Financial Times.
The probe reportedly centres on whether the US company's updated conditions prevented rival AI developers from offering their services on the messaging platform.
Brussels said it worried Meta's rules could give the group an unfair advantage at a time when AI adoption was accelerating across Europe.
Competition chief Teresa Ribera warned that regulators must ensure incumbents did not use their market power to block innovation, saying it was vital that European citizens and businesses "benefit fully" from the technology.
The inquiry fell under traditional EU antitrust powers rather than the bloc's Digital Markets Act, which has been the focus of recent disputes with Washington.
Meta introduced its AI assistant into WhatsApp across Europe in March, after delaying the rollout due to regulatory scrutiny.
The tool can suggest prompts and complete text within chats.
Its updated business terms took effect in October for new AI providers and are due to apply from 15 January for existing partners.
Italian authorities were already examining whether Meta used its dominance to integrate AI into WhatsApp without consent and expanded the investigation last month to include Meta's new business terms and AI features, arguing they could limit market access and technical development in the AI chatbot space.
Meta dismissed the allegations as "baseless", saying its Business API was not designed to support the rapid growth of AI chatbots and that users had alternative access to competing AI services.
AI start-up Interaction, creator of the assistant Poke.com, welcomed the EU's move, arguing that Meta's policy could deprive millions of Europeans of innovative tools.
Its co-founder Marvin von Hagen said swift intervention was "of utmost importance", the FT reported.
The case added to a widening regulatory front against Big Tech in Europe.
Brussels is already investigating Alphabet over search result rankings and Amazon and Microsoft over cloud computing.
The commission insisted it would continue to enforce digital rules despite sustained criticism from the US administration, which had accused the EU of overreach following meetings with Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg.
The investigation also followed Meta's victory in a US antitrust lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission, which sought to force the company to divest WhatsApp and Instagram.
A judge ruled that Meta did not hold monopoly power given competition from YouTube and TikTok.
At 0642 ET (1142 GMT), shares in Meta Platforms were up 0.94% in premarket trading in New York at $645.60.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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