The European Union has escalated its scrutiny of Meta Platforms, signalling it may act urgently over WhatsApp’s AI restrictions.
The drama began when Meta limited its messaging app to only its own AI assistant, Meta AI, effectively blocking rival developers.
EU Targets Meta
For Brussels, this change threatens fair competition.
Regulators fear it could give Meta an unfair advantage in AI services.
Consequently, on Monday, the European Commission formally charged Meta with breaching EU competition rules.
The Commission also issued a “statement of objections,” which outlines its preliminary view that Meta’s actions violate the law.
Meta now faces the chance to respond before the Commission reaches a final decision.
“The Commission intends to impose interim measures to prevent serious and irreparable market harm,” it warned.
Competition At Risk
Regulators argue that waiting for a full investigation, which could take years, allows Meta to cement its dominance.
Read Also: Airtel Adds New 2Africa Internet Hub In Southern Africa
Moreover, with hundreds of millions of WhatsApp users in Europe, the company could unfairly control access to AI tools, shutting out competitors.
This is not Meta’s first clash with EU authorities.
Last year, the Commission found that Meta broke the Digital Markets Act, which limits tech “gatekeepers.”
In response, Meta promised EU users more control over cross-platform data sharing.
Nevertheless, regulators remain concerned about privacy and unfair advantages.
Stakes For AI
The EU has already demonstrated it can enforce the DMA decisively.
For example, Apple paid a €500 million fine, and Meta faced €200 million for linking services and handling user data.
If the Commission imposes interim measures, Meta must open WhatsApp to rival AI services immediately.
Furthermore, a final ruling could bring larger fines and stricter behavioural remedies.
Ultimately, the case will set a precedent for AI in dominant digital platforms, signalling that even the biggest tech companies cannot act without limits.
