The European Commission has notified Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) that it could require temporary remedies to ensure WhatsApp remains open to competing general-purpose AI assistants, after raising concerns that the company may have breached EU competition rules.
In a Statement of Objections delivered on Monday, the Commission set out its provisional view that Meta abused a dominant position by revising its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. Those changes, adopted in October and enforced from January, left Meta AI as the only available general-purpose artificial intelligence assistant on the messaging service, according to the regulator.
The Commission said the policy amendment threatens to bar other AI assistant providers from entering or growing within the market for assistant services, a segment it describes as fast-growing. Regulators warned this exclusion could inflict serious and irreparable damage to competition if the restrictions persist while the formal investigation proceeds.
Officials indicated their preliminary assessment finds WhatsApp is likely dominant across the European Economic Area market for consumer communication apps, and that the platform serves as a crucial gateway for AI assistants to reach end users. Because of that gateway role, the Commission concluded there is an urgent need to consider interim measures to stop smaller competitors from being marginalised during the probe.
The issuance of a Statement of Objections reflects the Commission's current concerns but does not determine the final outcome of the inquiry. Meta has the opportunity to respond in writing, and it can request an oral hearing to contest the Commission's preliminary findings.
If conditions for urgent action are met, the Commission can impose interim measures under EU competition rules without waiting for a final ruling on whether an infringement has occurred. The investigation covers the European Economic Area with the exception of Italy, where the national competition authority already imposed interim measures on Meta in December.
Formal antitrust proceedings were opened against Meta in December under Article 102 of the EU treaty, which prohibits the abuse of a dominant market position. Meta's corporate portfolio includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, along with businesses in online advertising and virtual and augmented reality products.
What happens next
Meta will now have the chance to address the Commission's objections and argue its case through written submissions and potentially an oral hearing. Meanwhile, Brussels may move to implement temporary remedies if it judges that swift action is needed to protect competition while the formal investigation continues.