EU Orders Meta to Open WhatsApp to Competing AI Chatbots and Imposes Heavy Fines

The European Commission issued a binding decision under the Digital Markets Act requiring Meta to provide free access for competing AI‑chatbot developers to WhatsApp by June 2026. The measure aims to prevent lock‑in of users on a single platform. WhatsApp Channels were also classified as a Very Large Online Platform under the Digital Services Act, obligating Meta to submit risk assessments on illegal content, public‑debate impact and election integrity within four months, with penalties of up to 6 % of global turnover for breaches.

In parallel, the Commission fined Meta €200 million in June 2026 for its “pay‑or‑consent” advertising model, following a previous €500 million sanction against Apple for similar violations. Meta is simultaneously testing new privacy features such as Guest Chat – an end‑to‑end‑encrypted, temporary chat for non‑users – and a private AI mode that promises no data retention by the company.

The regulatory actions represent a significant step by the EU to enforce competition and data‑protection rules on major tech firms operating in the region.