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EU warns Meta it must open up WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots

The European Commission has ordered Meta to grant rival chatbots access to WhatsApp after finding the company in breach of EU competition rules. Brussels is considering swift interim measures to prevent Meta’s policy from harming competition while the antitrust probe continues.

AFP TECH
Published February 09,2026
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The European Commission told Meta on Monday to give rival chatbots access to its WhatsApp messaging service after an antitrust probe found the US giant to be in breach of the bloc's competition rules.

Competition chief Teresa Ribera said the EU was "considering quickly imposing interim measures on Meta, to preserve access for competitors to WhatsApp while the investigation is ongoing, and avoid Meta's new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe".