EU orders Meta to open WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots for free

The EU ordered Meta on Tuesday to give rival AI chatbots access to its WhatsApp platform for free within five working days as it carries out an antitrust probe, or risk a heavy fine.

Meta said it would appeal the order, which follows the launch in December of an EU investigation into the US firm's policy of blocking access for AI providers other than Meta AI. The European Commission, the EU's digital watchdog, said Meta will have to maintain access to competitors until Brussels wraps up its probe.

A Meta spokesperson said the measure would allow "OpenAI and some of the largest companies in the world" access for free, adding: "This is regulatory overreach subsidised by the many European companies that pay".