--- title: "The European Union requires Meta to suspend access restrictions to WhatsApp for AI competitors" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/289218346.md" description: "The European Commission has ordered Meta Platforms to restore free access for competing AI assistants to the WhatsApp Business messaging service within five working days to prevent serious and irreversible harm to competition. This move stems from Meta's policy adjustments, which have been accused of hindering competitors' AI operations, leading to escalating tensions between the parties. Meta responded that this decision allows companies like OpenAI to use services that were originally paid for at no cost" datetime: "2026-06-09T16:28:30.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/289218346.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/289218346.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/289218346.md) --- # The European Union requires Meta to suspend access restrictions to WhatsApp for AI competitors The European Union has ordered Meta Platforms to suspend policies that allegedly hinder rival AI companies from conducting business through the WhatsApp Business messaging service. The European Commission stated on Tuesday that Meta must "restore free access for competitors' general AI assistants to WhatsApp" within five working days to "prevent serious and irreversible harm to competition." "In a rapidly changing market, competition may be lost even before a final decision is made," said Teresa Ribera, the EU's competition chief, in a statement. "For this reason, these interim measures will continue to be implemented during the investigation to prevent almost irreparable damage." The EU's action stems from Meta's adjustment of WhatsApp-related policies. Critics argue that these changes unfairly obstruct rival AI from providing business services through WhatsApp. This move also signifies an escalation of tensions between Meta and EU regulators. In recent years, the California-based company has faced costly regulatory challenges in the EU. After the European Commission's statement, Meta indicated via email that the Commission "decided to allow OpenAI and some of the largest companies globally to use the WhatsApp Business product for free, which was originally a paid service." ### Related Stocks - [META.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/META.US.md) - [METU.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/METU.US.md) - [METW.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/METW.US.md) - [FBL.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FBL.US.md) - [METD.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/METD.US.md) - [FBY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FBY.US.md) - [FBYY.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FBYY.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Meta Investor Dumps Shares After AI Fundraising Report, Says Shareholders Don't Want 'Drunken Sailors' Spending: 'People Are Not Going To Invest...'](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288922790.md) - [Meta made its own AI-generated clickbait news feed](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288934190.md) - [Meta funds skilled trades jobs program for AI data center buildout](https://longbridge.com/en/news/289104022.md) - [Meta rolls out a new AI creator assistant on Facebook](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288751132.md) - [What Is Going On With Meta Platforms Stock On Wednesday?](https://longbridge.com/en/news/288607828.md)