Catenaa, Thursday, February 12, 2026- European Union regulators are preparing swift interim measures against Meta Platforms over changes to WhatsApp that restrict access for rival artificial intelligence assistants, escalating pressure on the US tech giant as a broader antitrust probe advances.
The European Commission has sent Meta a formal Statement of Objections, outlining preliminary findings that WhatsApp holds a dominant position in consumer messaging across the European Economic Area and that recent policy changes may breach EU competition law.
The case centers on Meta’s October update to WhatsApp terms that would bar third-party AI assistants from the platform starting January 15, leaving only Meta’s own AI service available.
Regulators argue the move risks distorting competition in the fast-growing market for general-purpose AI assistants.
The Commission has signaled it may impose interim remedies before reaching a final decision, citing the speed of AI market development and the potential for lasting harm to smaller competitors if access to WhatsApp remains restricted.
EU officials view WhatsApp as a major gateway for digital services to reach consumers, giving Meta leverage that could raise barriers for rival AI providers.
The Commission opened formal proceedings in early December and says its initial analysis points to a risk of irreparable damage to competition if the policy remains in force during the investigation.
Meta disputes the assessment, maintaining that WhatsApp is not a primary distribution channel for AI assistants and that consumers can access such tools through multiple platforms, including operating systems, app stores and websites.
The company is expected to submit a formal response to the objections in the coming weeks.
The case adds to mounting regulatory scrutiny of large US technology firms in Europe and could further strain EU-US tech relations if interim measures are imposed.
