The European Commission has initiated a formal antitrust investigation targeting Meta Platforms, Inc. The probe focuses on a new company policy that could significantly limit how artificial intelligence providers interact with the popular messaging service WhatsApp.
Details of the Antitrust Investigation
Announced on Thursday, December 4, 2025, the investigation centers on a policy change by Meta, which operates WhatsApp among other social networking services. Currently, various AI companies use WhatsApp's platform to offer conversational assistants. These tools help users with answering questions, creating content, and managing customer service inquiries directly through the app.
The European Commission's primary concern is that Meta's updated rules could prohibit AI providers from using a specific tool. This tool is essential for businesses whose primary service is AI to communicate with customers via WhatsApp. While AI would still be permitted for ancillary or support functions, the core service could be blocked. Notably, Meta's own AI service, "Meta AI," will continue to operate without restriction under the new policy.
Timeline and Scope of the New Policy
The Commission clarified the implementation schedule for this controversial update. For existing AI providers on WhatsApp, the changes will take effect on January 15, 2026. However, for any new providers seeking access, the policy has already been active since October 15, 2025.
The antitrust investigation will cover the entire European Economic Area with one key exception: Italy. The Italian national competition authority has already begun its own examination of Meta's conduct and is considering potential interim measures against the company.
Broader Context of EU Tech Scrutiny
This action against Meta is part of a wider pattern of intense regulatory scrutiny by the European Union on major U.S. technology firms. The Commission has been particularly active in enforcing its competition laws in the digital market.
In a significant move just months earlier, in September, the EU imposed a hefty fine of 2.95 billion euros (approximately $3.45 billion) on Google for antitrust violations within the online advertising sector. Furthermore, the regulators launched a fresh investigation into Google's practices in November 2025.
The United States government has repeatedly criticized the European Union's regulatory actions, alleging that they disproportionately target American companies. In response to recent EU decisions, firms including Google and Amazon have stated their intentions to appeal.
The outcome of this probe could have major implications for how AI services are integrated into major messaging platforms in Europe and potentially set a precedent for global digital market regulation.
