The European Commission has identified Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, as potentially violating EU competition law regarding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) services on the messaging platform. According to an initial assessment, the Commission has raised concerns that Meta's implementation of its rules on January 15 effectively restricts competition by allowing only its own AI services, namely Meta AI, to operate within WhatsApp. This move has drawn scrutiny as it could potentially stifle competition in the burgeoning market for AI assistants.

The report highlights the functionalities of Meta AI, which allows users to summarize text, translate languages, create content, and answer questions using current information from the internet. This is similar to other popular AI models such as Chat-GPT and Gemini. Users wishing to access the AI through WhatsApp need to initiate a chat with the bot. However, the Commission argues that by limiting the platform to its own AI tools, Meta risks preventing rival companies from entering or expanding within the AI assistant market, which is crucial for fostering innovation and providing diverse options for consumers.

The implications of this warning could be significant for Meta, as non-compliance with EU regulations could lead to severe penalties. The emphasis on maintaining fair competition aligns with the EU's broader regulatory framework aimed at ensuring a level playing field in the digital market. As the competition intensifies in the AI sector, this development may compel Meta to reconsider its strategies on WhatsApp and potentially open the platform to third-party AI services, which could enhance competition and benefit consumers in the long term.