The EU investigates Meta for restricting rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp, sparking regulatory scrutiny.
The European Union has launched an investigation into Meta after the company implemented a policy that restricts third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp. The policy prevents competing AI services from integrating with the messaging platform, raising concerns about anti-competitive practices.

Regulators are examining whether this move could stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. WhatsApp, with over 2 billion users globally, is a critical channel for AI-driven communication services, making this case significant for both tech giants and startups.

Meta argues that the policy is aimed at protecting user security and privacy, but critics argue that the restriction could unfairly favor Meta’s own AI initiatives. The EU investigation will determine whether regulatory action is necessary to ensure a level playing field in the AI and messaging markets.