EU Forces WhatsApp to Reopen to Rival AI Chatbots Free

The European Commission has ordered Meta to restore free WhatsApp access for rival AI assistants across Europe. The interim measure aims to protect a fast-moving market before regulators reach a final antitrust verdict.

According to The Verge, the order was announced on Tuesday (June 10) to prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition. The same report notes it covers the general-purpose AI assistant market, where WhatsApp is a key entry point.

Meta began blocking third-party AI assistants in WhatsApp in October 2025, according to Mashable. That move prompted the Commission to open a formal investigation in December 2025.

The regulator argues that Meta holds a dominant position in chat apps and is abusing it. According to Mashable, the concern is that Meta favors its own Meta AI chatbot while shutting out competing services.

The Verge reports that Meta later restored access to rival chatbots for a fee in March. That paid arrangement appeared to violate EU competition rules, according to the same report.

The Commission now wants access reinstated under the free terms that existed before the original ban. According to The Verge, Meta has until June 15 to comply with the order.

This is only the second time the EU has used this emergency power in more than 20 years, The Verge reports, citing Politico. The rare step signals how seriously regulators view control over AI access points.

If Meta ignores the order, it could face fines of up to 10% of annual revenue. According to The Verge, that figure is around $20 billion based on the company's 2025 earnings.

European competition commissioner Teresa Ribera defended the action in a statement carried by The Verge. She said competition can be lost long before a final decision arrives in rapidly evolving markets.

Meta has rejected the case and confirmed it will appeal the order. A company spokesperson called the move regulatory overreach subsidised by European firms that pay, according to Mashable.

The spokesperson said the Commission is letting OpenAI and other large firms use the paid WhatsApp Business product for free. That framing, reported by both Mashable and The Verge, sets up a contested legal fight ahead.

For users in Europe, the order could soon mean a real choice of AI assistants inside WhatsApp. The broader investigation remains open, so the long-term outcome is still unsettled.