Story perspectives

EU Orders Meta to Restore WhatsApp AI Access, Threatens Fines

6/10/2026

Summary

Meta Restores WhatsApp

The Commission ordered Meta on 10 Jun 2026 to restore WhatsApp access for third-party AI assistants, overturning its 4 Mar 2026 fee-based policy deemed a de facto ban.
Meta must comply within five working days, with non-compliance triggering fines up to 10 % of turnover and penalties up to 5 %.
The probe, launched in Dec 2025 after Meta blocked AI assistants on WhatsApp Business API, is second interim-measure order under Regulation 1/2003, the first against Broadcom in 2009.

Summary

Meta Grants Access

EU officials say WhatsApp Business API fees are unsustainable for competitors, threatening European AI startups.
The Commission’s interim measure forces Meta to offer free API access to protect independent developers and curb platform dominance.
Meta’s March move to charge third-party AI assistants created a revenue stream that the Commission now bars, amid €200 million DMA and €798 million tying fines.

History

Historical Context

After the European Commission fined Microsoft €497 million in 2004 for tying Windows to competitors—a landmark enforcement of Article 102—the EU has repeatedly used its competition powers, from the Treaty of Rome’s anti-dominance rules to the 2020 Digital Markets Act. In 2026 the Commission now compels Meta Platforms to offer a free WhatsApp Business API, echoing the Microsoft precedent.

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Meta Restores WhatsApp

The Commission ordered Meta on 10 Jun 2026 to restore WhatsApp access for third-party AI assistants, overturning its 4 Mar 2026 fee-based policy deemed a de facto ban.
Meta must comply within five working days, with non-compliance triggering fines up to 10 % of turnover and penalties up to 5 %.
The probe, launched in Dec 2025 after Meta blocked AI assistants on WhatsApp Business API, is second interim-measure order under Regulation 1/2003, the first against Broadcom in 2009.

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