EU Orders Meta to Give Third-Party AI Assistants Free Access to WhatsApp

The European Commission has announced an interim measure requiring Meta to provide free access to WhatsApp for third-party AI assistants until antitrust investigations conclude. The move aims to protect competition in the general-purpose AI assistant market.

Meta previously offered free access to its WhatsApp for Business API for external AI assistants but blocked third-party calls in October 2025, reserving it exclusively for Meta AI. Although paid access was restored in March, the EU says this effectively continues the market blockade.

The EU warns that Meta's policy changes could severely harm competition, especially as smaller companies and new entrants are trying to challenge established players. The interim measure will remain in place until the antitrust investigation ends.