June 23, 2026, 11:00 am | Read time: 3 minutes
WhatsApp is no longer just a messenger for private messages. Companies use the service for customer contacts, orders, and automated responses. AI assistants are now also accessible via WhatsApp and are considered by many providers as an important way to reach users directly in their daily lives. This is precisely why the European Commission sees the risk that individual companies could control access to this market.
Dispute Over the WhatsApp Business Interface
The focus of the decision is the so-called WhatsApp for Business API. This is a programming interface that allows companies to integrate WhatsApp into their own services. It is used for customer service offerings, automatic responses, and digital assistants.
According to the European Commission, until October 15, 2025, general AI assistants from third-party providers could also use this interface. Subsequently, Meta changed the terms. While Meta AI remained allowed, competing AI offerings lost access. From the Commission’s perspective, Meta could have used its strong market position in the messenger sector to restrict competition in AI assistants.
Paid Access Sparks Criticism
Later, Meta partially relaxed the regulation. Since March 4, 2026, third-party providers can generally use the interface again. However, a fee is required for this.
The European Commission believes that this fee requirement can also impact competition. Competitors could be deterred from accessing WhatsApp. Therefore, Meta is to temporarily apply the conditions that were in place before the change. According to the Commission, this includes free access.
For Users, Everything Remains the Same for Now
For most WhatsApp users, the order initially has no direct consequences. The decision mainly concerns which AI services may be accessible via the platform in the future.
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The Commission justifies its actions by stating that the market for AI assistants is currently growing very rapidly. If the authority were to wait for the end of the ongoing investigation, potential impacts on competition could later be difficult to reverse.
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Meta Announces Resistance
Meta must now implement the requirements within five working days. Subsequently, access should remain open until the investigation is concluded.
The company, however, rejects the decision. According to the news portal “BBC,” Meta calls it a regulatory overreach and announced plans to legally challenge it. The company is particularly critical of the fact that OpenAI and other large AI firms could use a service for free that normally incurs fees. In Meta’s view, the costs would thus be shifted to European companies that pay for the service.
High Penalties Possible for Violations
If Meta does not comply with the order, the European Commission can impose daily fines. These can amount to up to 5 percent of the average daily turnover from the previous fiscal year.
Additionally, further financial consequences are looming. If the Commission concludes in its investigation that there is indeed a competition violation, a fine of up to 10 percent of the global annual turnover can be imposed.