EU competition chief Teresa Ribera warns Meta over WhatsApp policies that block rival AI chatbots, signaling tougher antitrust enforcement across AI, big tech, and global markets.
The European Union is intensifying its scrutiny of Big Tech as artificial intelligence reshapes digital markets. In a recent interview, Teresa Ribera, the EU’s Competition Commissioner, confirmed that Brussels has formally warned Meta over practices that could limit competition in AI-powered services on WhatsApp.
The case underscores the EU’s broader push to ensure open, competitive markets—and signals that AI will be a central battleground for future antitrust enforcement.
Meta, WhatsApp, and Rival AI Chatbots
At the heart of the dispute is Meta’s control over WhatsApp, one of the world’s largest messaging services.
Ribera said the EU is concerned that Meta may be blocking rival AI chatbot providers from operating on WhatsApp, potentially abusing its dominant market position. According to the Commissioner, such restrictions could reduce consumer choice and undermine innovation.
She noted that the European Commission is considering interim measures—temporary actions designed to stop potentially harmful behavior while a full investigation is ongoing.
“The abuse of a dominant position is bad for everyone,” Ribera said, stressing that competitive markets are essential for consumers and developers alike.
Responding to U.S. Criticism
Addressing concerns from U.S. officials and industry figures, Ribera rejected claims that the EU’s actions are politically motivated.
She emphasized that enforcement decisions are based on market behavior, not nationality, and are aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring fair competition.
AI Regulation: More Cases Likely
Looking ahead, Ribera made clear that AI concentration and antitrust risks will remain a priority. As large tech firms integrate AI across platforms, the EU expects more investigations into whether companies are leveraging dominance in one area to control emerging AI markets.
The focus, she said, will be on preventing excessive concentration and ensuring that new AI ecosystems remain open.
Streaming Market Under Watch
Beyond AI, Ribera also addressed consolidation risks in media and entertainment. While no formal review has begun, she confirmed the EU is closely watching speculation around a potential acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix.
Any major deal, she said, would be assessed carefully for its impact on competition and consumer choice in Europe’s streaming market.
Google and the “Gatekeeper” Rules
Ribera also discussed Google, highlighting the company’s powerful position in areas such as search and advertising.
Under the EU’s digital competition framework, Google is classified as a “gatekeeper,” meaning it faces stricter obligations to ensure fairness and transparency. The Commission is continuing efforts to ensure Google’s ad tech business does not unfairly favor its own services.
China Subsidies and European Industry
The conversation also touched on global trade tensions. Ribera confirmed that the EU is investigating illegal subsidies from China, particularly in the wind energy sector.
The goal, she said, is to prevent dumping practices and protect European competitiveness while ensuring that companies entering the EU market do so with transparent pricing and fair competition.
Why This Matters
From AI chatbots on WhatsApp to streaming giants and renewable energy, the EU is signaling a much tougher stance on market concentration. Meta’s WhatsApp case could become a landmark decision for how AI services are regulated within dominant digital platforms—and a warning to Big Tech that the EU intends to act early, not just after markets are locked in.