The European Commission has directed Meta to return third-party general-purpose AI assistants to WhatsApp under the access terms that existed before 15 October 2025. The order requires the company to allow these services to use the WhatsApp for Business API without charge, matching the conditions that previously applied. According to the decision, those arrangements must remain in force until the Commission reaches a final conclusion in its ongoing antitrust case. Meta has been given five working days to implement the measures.

The decision follows a series of actions taken during the investigation. The Commission launched the case in December 2025 after examining Meta's policy that prevented AI providers other than Meta AI from accessing WhatsApp. In February 2026, regulators issued a Statement of Objections indicating that temporary intervention could be necessary to avoid damage to competition. A supplementary Statement of Objections followed in April 2026, outlining plans to require Meta to restore access for rival AI assistants.

Regulators stated that Meta appears to have held a dominant position in the market for consumer communication applications across the European Economic Area since at least January 2023. The Commission also reached a preliminary view that Meta may have misused that position by restricting competing general-purpose AI assistants from accessing the WhatsApp for Business API. Authorities pointed to a policy introduced on 15 October 2025 that excluded third-party AI assistants while leaving Meta AI available on the platform.

The Commission further noted that Meta revised the policy on 4 March 2026 by once again permitting third-party AI assistants on WhatsApp. However, regulators concluded at first sight that the fee attached to that access effectively produced the same result as the earlier restriction. The decision argues that immediate action is necessary because the market for general-purpose AI assistants is still developing, creating a period in which newer and smaller participants may compete with established providers.

The measures are intended to preserve competition while the broader investigation proceeds. Regulators said maintaining earlier access conditions is necessary to protect the effectiveness of any eventual ruling on the legality of Meta's conduct. The case remains under review, and no deadline has been set for the completion of the antitrust proceedings. The duration of the investigation will depend on factors including the complexity of the matter, cooperation from the companies involved, and procedural rights exercised during the process.

📊 What This Means (Our Analysis)

The Commission's action highlights the importance regulators place on preserving competitive conditions while an investigation is still underway. Rather than waiting for a final ruling, authorities determined that immediate intervention was necessary to avoid potential changes in market structure that could be difficult to reverse later. The focus on maintaining existing access terms reflects a broader effort to ensure that competition remains active during a period of market development.

The decision also underscores how access to established digital platforms can influence opportunities for competing services. By requiring the restoration of earlier conditions, regulators aim to preserve participation by multiple providers while the legal questions are examined. The outcome signals that competition concerns can trigger temporary remedies when authorities believe delays could affect future market dynamics.

📌 Our Take: The final outcome of the investigation may shape how platform access is treated in fast-growing technology markets.