EU investigates Meta over WhatsApp AI access in major antitrust enforcement case

April 16, 2026

Antitrust action advances as the EU probes Meta over restrictions on AI assistance access.

The European Commission has issued a supplementary charge sheet to Meta (called Supplementary Statement of Objections), outlining concerns over potential restrictions on third-party AI assistants’ access to WhatsApp.

A move that forms part of an ongoing investigation into a possible abuse of dominant market position under the EU competition rules.

The Commission’s preliminary assessment suggests that recent policy changes, including the introduction of access fees, may have effects equivalent to an earlier exclusion of competing AI services.

Something that raises concerns about barriers to entry and reduced competition in the emerging market for AI assistants.

As part of interim measures under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, regulators are considering requiring Meta to restore access to its services under previous conditions.

Such measures aim to prevent serious and potentially irreversible harm to competition while the investigation continues.

The case has been expanded to cover the entire European Economic Area, reflecting coordination with national authorities.

These proceedings highlight increasing regulatory scrutiny of platform control over AI ecosystems and access to digital markets.

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