EU Tells Meta to Allow Room for Rival AI Assistants

Core Viewpoint - The European Commission has indicated that Meta's policy regarding its AI assistant on WhatsApp may violate EU antitrust regulations by restricting access for third-party AI assistants [2][3]. Regulatory Actions - The European Commission sent a statement of objections to Meta, asserting that the company breached EU antitrust rules by preventing third-party AI assistants from accessing WhatsApp [2]. - The Commission plans to impose interim measures to prevent potential market harm while awaiting Meta's response [2]. Meta's Position - Meta claims that there is no need for regulatory intervention, stating that various AI options are available through app stores and other platforms [3]. - The company argues that the WhatsApp Business API is not a key distribution channel for AI chatbots, a point previously supported by a court ruling in Brazil [4]. Market Context - Consumer interest in autonomous AI assistants is growing, with one-third of consumers expressing interest in using such technology for everyday planning [5]. - Despite this interest, a significant portion of consumers (44%) remain resistant to allowing AI to perform personal tasks, indicating a divide in adoption [6].