The European Commission has launched a formal antitrust investigation into Meta over concerns that new restrictions on how artificial intelligence (AI) providers can access WhatsApp may violate EU competition rules.

Meta’s updated policy, announced in October 2025, bars AI companies from using the WhatsApp Business Solution, a tool that enables businesses to interact with customers, when AI is the primary service offered. While businesses may continue to use AI for secondary tasks such as automated customer support, the Commission fears the new rules could effectively block third-party AI providers from offering their services via WhatsApp across the European Economic Area (EEA).

Under Meta’s plan, the updated terms will apply to new AI providers immediately and to existing ones from 15 January 2026, potentially cutting off a major distribution channel. Meta’s own AI assistant, however, would remain available on WhatsApp.

The probe will assess whether the policy amounts to an abuse of dominance under Article 102 of the TFUE and Article 54 of the EEA Agreement.

The case forms part of the Commission’s broader scrutiny of AI markets, following a 2024 public consultation and a policy paper published in September that highlighted emerging competition risks in the sector.

Brussels said it will conduct the investigation as a priority, while stressing that the opening of proceedings does not prejudge the final outcome.