EU Orders Meta to Restore WhatsApp AI Assistant Access Within 5 Working Days on June 9

The European Commission on June 9 ordered Meta to restore free WhatsApp access for competing AI assistants within five working days, marking the EU's first antitrust interim measure in 17 years. The order targets Meta's October 2025 policy change that blocked third-party AI assistants from the WhatsApp Business API, leaving Meta AI as the only available option in the European Economic Area.

Meta confirmed it would appeal the interim measure. The company faces potential fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover if found in violation. The order will remain in force until June 2029 or the conclusion of the underlying antitrust investigation, whichever comes first.