EU Set to Launch Antitrust Probe into Meta’s WhatsApp AI Integration
The European Union is preparing to launch a formal antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms over the integration of its AI chatbot and virtual assistant, Meta AI, into the messaging service WhatsApp. The investigation, first reported by the Financial Times, centers on concerns that Meta is leveraging its dominant position in the messaging market to stifle competition.
The EU Commission is expected to announce the investigation in the coming days, according to sources familiar with the matter. The probe will specifically examine how Meta has integrated its AI features into WhatsApp since March 2025, and whether this integration unfairly disadvantages rival AI providers. Neither Meta nor the EU Commission have issued a statement as of this report.
Growing Regulatory Scrutiny of Meta’s AI Strategy
This move by the EU follows a similar investigation already underway by Italy’s competition regulator, the Autorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM). The AGCM initiated its investigation in July and expanded it in November, alleging that Meta’s new terms and conditions and the addition of AI functions restrict access for third-party developers and impede the development of competing products.
“The US company is restricting access for third-party providers and hindering the development of competing products,” the AGCM stated in a release at the end of November. The Italian regulator’s concerns echo the broader anxieties surrounding Big Tech companies’ control over emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
Concerns Over Data Usage and Competitive Advantage
The core of the EU’s anticipated investigation revolves around whether Meta is unfairly using data collected through WhatsApp to enhance its AI offerings, thereby creating an insurmountable competitive advantage. Regulators are particularly focused on whether Meta is bundling its AI services with WhatsApp in a way that prevents users from easily opting for alternative AI solutions.
One senior official stated that the Commission is concerned about the potential for “self-preferencing,” where Meta prioritizes its own AI services within WhatsApp, effectively locking out competitors. This practice could violate EU antitrust laws designed to ensure a level playing field in the digital market.
The timing of the EU’s investigation is significant, as it comes amid a global wave of regulatory scrutiny over the power of large technology companies and their handling of user data. The outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications for Meta’s AI strategy and the future of competition in the messaging and AI sectors.
The EU’s investigation underscores the increasing pressure on tech giants to demonstrate that their AI innovations are not achieved at the expense of fair competition and consumer choice.
