The European Commission has ordered Meta to restore free access to WhatsApp's Business API for rival AI chatbot developers while it investigates whether Meta abused its market dominance to disadvantage competitors. Regulators say Meta blocked rival AI assistants from the API last October while keeping access for its own Meta AI, then reinstated it in March under a paid model that the Commission argues could choke off competition. The interim order, the EU's first such measure in nearly two decades, gives Meta five working days to comply and stems from complaints by AI firms including Poke.com maker The Interaction Company; Meta calls it regulatory overreach and plans to appeal, with a potential fine of up to 10% of global annual revenue if found in violation.
