The EU threatens to take measures against WhatsApp, which excluded ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI assistants
The European Union is signaling potential interim measures against Meta, aiming to compel the company to reinstate third-party AI chatbots within its WhatsApp messaging platform. This move comes after Meta's recent policy shift that saw the exclusion of popular AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, which were previously integrated or accessible through the application, to favor Meta's own AI offerings. The EU's intervention underscores its commitment to fostering a competitive digital environment and preventing large platforms from unfairly disadvantaging rivals. This regulatory scrutiny focuses on Meta's implementation of AI features and its impact on interoperability and user choice within the widely used WhatsApp service. By potentially mandating the re-inclusion of competing AI chatbots, the EU seeks to uphold principles of fair competition and open access, ensuring that users are not solely directed towards proprietary solutions. The decision to consider provisional measures indicates the urgency and seriousness with which the EU is approaching potential anti-competitive practices in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The implications of this EU action extend to both consumers and developers within the digital ecosystem. Users could regain access to a wider array of AI functionalities and services directly within their communication applications, enhancing choice and innovation. For third-party AI providers, this could mean renewed opportunities to reach a broad user base, mitigating the impact of platform owners prioritizing their own AI products. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between platform dominance and the EU's ambition for digital sovereignty and fair market conditions.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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