tech
EU orders Meta to restore WhatsApp AI rival access in 5 days
The EU ordered Meta to restore WhatsApp access for rival AI assistants within five days, citing “serious and irreparable damage to competition.” Meta will appeal. The investigation has no deadline and fines could reach 10% of global revenue.
TL;DR
- The European Commission ordered Meta to restore free access to WhatsApp for rival AI assistants within five working days.
- The EU cited 'serious and irreparable damage to competition' in the AI assistant market as the reason for the interim measures.
- Meta stated it would appeal the order, claiming it would allow companies like OpenAI to use WhatsApp Business for free.
- The Commission expanded its probe after Italy's antitrust authority began examining the issue.
- Failure to comply could result in fines up to 10% of Meta's global annual revenue plus daily penalties.
- WhatsApp has over two billion users globally, making WhatsApp Business a crucial distribution channel for AI companies.
- Meta's appeal will test the judicial review of interim measures while an investigation is ongoing.
- This intervention adds to Meta's existing regulatory challenges in the EU, including Digital Markets Act fines and privacy concerns.