META
Meta’s new “please don’t fine us” move
Meta is opening up WhatsApp Business API access in the European Economic Area to rival general-purpose AI chatbots for one month, a fresh concession meant to calm down the European Commission. Translation: Meta is trying to keep its WhatsApp AI plans from becoming a full-blown regulatory bar fight.
Why regulators are still annoyed
The company originally restricted WhatsApp AI integration to Meta AI only on Jan. 15, then tweaked the policy in March to allow rivals in — but with a fee attached. EU officials apparently still saw a competitive choke point and kept the pressure on.
What’s at stake
If talks go sideways, Meta could face formal antitrust charges and fines worth up to 10% of annual global revenue. That’s not pocket change; that’s “call the finance team and pour another coffee” money.
- The European Commission said the latest concession looks like a step in the right direction.
- But the clock is ticking, and regulators want signs Meta is genuinely willing to open the door wider.
- Rival AI firms — including The Interaction Company, which makes Poke.com, plus a Spanish competitor — helped trigger the complaint stack.
Big picture
This isn’t just about who gets to live inside WhatsApp. It’s another reminder that Meta’s AI ambitions now come with a European tax: move fast, but don’t forget the antitrust lawyers are watching.