The European Union has ordered Facebook parent company, Meta, to allow rival firms’ AI chatbots access to its messaging app, WhatsApp.

As part of an ongoing antitrust investigation, the Commission demands that Meta maintains this access while it investigates. Failing to comply could result in a hefty fine of up to 10% of Meta’s total turnover.

In response, Meta has accused the EU of regulatory overreach and plans to appeal. The decision highlights the growing tension between tech giants and European regulators but also preserves choice for users across Europe regarding which AI assistants they want to use with WhatsApp.

Meta argues that this move benefits competitors like OpenAI at the expense of smaller companies, calling it a subsidy paid by other European firms. This row adds another chapter in the ongoing saga of strained relations between US tech giants and EU authorities.