technology

WhatsApp ordered to host rival AI assistants for free

The Verge·June 10, 2026

The European Commission has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots to access WhatsApp for free while an antitrust investigation is ongoing. This interim measure aims to prevent damage to competition in the general-purpose AI assistant market. The EU rarely uses this emergency power, with this being only the second instance in over 20 years. The decision follows a formal investigation launched in December 2025 into Meta's potential abuse of market dominance by banning third-party AI chatbots from WhatsApp.

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