Overview
- Brussels launched a formal probe into whether WhatsApp’s updated Business Solution terms illegally exclude third‑party AI chatbots while Meta’s own assistant remains available.
- The investigation spans the European Economic Area but excludes Italy, which is running a parallel case, and regulators say interim measures could be used to prevent potential irreparable harm.
- WhatsApp’s October policy blocks new general‑purpose AI providers from October 15, 2025 and extends to existing providers from January 15, 2026, allowing only ancillary AI uses such as customer support.
- OpenAI and Microsoft have withdrawn ChatGPT and Copilot from WhatsApp following the policy change, signaling immediate effects on access and distribution for rival services.
- Meta rejects the allegations as baseless, arguing chatbots strain systems not designed to support them, and faces potential fines of up to 10% of global annual revenue if an abuse of dominance is found.