Meta opens WhatsApp to rival AI chatbots under EU rules
▼ Summary
– Meta has proposed giving rival AI chatbots, including OpenAI and Perplexity, free access to WhatsApp under a new European Commission plan.
– The free access would apply up to a usage cap, after which a fee would be charged.
– This proposal follows January’s blanket ban and March’s $0.0625-per-message fee on the platform.
After a blanket ban in January and a controversial per-message fee of $0.0625 introduced in March, Meta has now submitted a revised proposal to the European Commission. The new plan offers rival AI chatbots , including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Anthropic’s Claude, and others , free access to WhatsApp under the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Access would be free up to a certain usage threshold, after which a fee would apply.
This marks a significant shift in Meta’s strategy for complying with EU regulations that require dominant platforms to open their ecosystems to competitors. The earlier approach, which imposed a per-message charge, drew sharp criticism from rivals and regulators alike, who argued it effectively blocked meaningful competition. Now, Meta is trying to strike a balance: allowing third-party AI services to integrate with WhatsApp while preserving a revenue model for high-volume usage.
Under the new proposal, smaller players and startups could benefit from free access, while larger companies that exceed the cap would pay for additional messages. Meta has not disclosed the exact threshold or fee structure, but the move is seen as an attempt to preempt further regulatory action from Brussels. The European Commission is expected to review the proposal and could either accept it, demand changes, or impose penalties for non-compliance.
For users, the change could mean more AI-powered features within WhatsApp, such as chatbots from different providers offering customer service, personal assistance, or entertainment , all without leaving the app. However, questions remain about data privacy, interoperability standards, and how Meta will ensure a level playing field for all participants.
The proposal is part of Meta’s broader effort to align with the DMA, which took effect last year and targets so-called “gatekeeper” platforms. If approved, the plan could set a precedent for how other messaging services handle third-party AI integration in Europe.
(Source: The Next Web)
