European ...
European Commission opens antitrust investigation into Meta’s WhatsApp AI policy — spotlight on competition and digital rights
On 4 December 2025, the European Commission announced a formal antitrust investigation against Meta Platforms over its recent policy changes regarding AI-provider access to WhatsApp Business tools.
Under new rules, Meta aims to block third-party AI chatbot providers from using WhatsApp’s Business API for delivering unsolicited AI-powered services; only Meta’s internal AI assistant (Meta AI) would remain available.
The Commission fears this move could stifle competition in the fast-growing AI market and give Meta an unfair advantage, limiting alternatives for European businesses and users , including those in Cyprus.
For Cyprus , and its many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that rely on WhatsApp for customer communication , this probe matters. If Meta’s policy stands unchallenged, businesses may become locked into Meta’s AI ecosystem, reducing flexibility and potentially increasing costs or limiting innovation.
The investigation is a reminder that digital convenience often comes with tradeoffs: as Big Tech introduces new features (AI assistants, chatbots), regulators must balance innovation with fairness, competition, and user choice. For EU citizens , including those in Cyprus , preserving competition and preventing dominance is arguably as important as technological advancement.
In the short term, the probe may slow down rapid AI-integration in messaging apps, but in the long run, it could encourage a more diverse, open AI ecosystem , giving businesses and users more options. For Cyprus, that could mean better digital tools, fairer pricing, and more resilient digital infrastructure
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