Meta Platforms has offered rival artificial intelligence chatbots, including those developed by OpenAI, free access to its messaging platform WhatsApp in Europe as the company attempts to address growing regulatory concerns from European Union antitrust authorities.
Cristiano Ronaldo Named in Portugal Squad for Record Sixth World Cup
According to people familiar with the matter, Meta’s proposal would allow competing AI assistants to use WhatsApp at no cost initially, but charges would be introduced once usage exceeds a specified messaging limit.
The proposal was submitted to European regulators last week after the European Commission considered ordering Meta to provide access to rivals while an ongoing investigation into the company’s practices continues.
The move comes as regulators intensify efforts to ensure fair competition in emerging AI and digital markets, seeking to prevent major technology firms from dominating access to critical platforms and services.
Meta said earlier that rival AI assistants in Europe had been granted temporary free access to WhatsApp’s business API for one month while discussions with regulators continue. APIs serve as software interfaces that allow different systems to communicate and operate together.
However, some smaller AI companies have expressed dissatisfaction with the proposal. The Interaction Company, developer of the Poke AI assistant, argued that the offer does not sufficiently address competition concerns.
French startup Agentik also criticised the proposal, claiming it creates unequal conditions because Meta’s own AI services would not face similar restrictions.
Meta had introduced a policy in January limiting WhatsApp AI integration to its own assistant, before revising the approach in March to permit rival services through paid access arrangements. The latest proposal appears to be another step in ongoing negotiations with EU authorities.
