The European Commission has ordered Meta to allow rival AI chatbots on its WhatsApp platform for free, suspending a fee implemented in March. This rare interim measure aims to prevent irreparable damage to the competitive landscape of general-purpose AI assistants.

The move comes after the EU launched an investigation into whether Meta was abusing its market dominance by banning third-party AI chatbots from WhatsApp. Meta’s decision to restore access for a fee was deemed a violation of EU competition rules, leading to this latest directive.

European Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera stated that such interim measures are necessary in rapidly evolving markets, as final decisions can take long and harm may be difficult to reverse. The order will remain in place until the investigation is concluded, ensuring third-party AI companies a key entry point into reaching consumers across Europe via WhatsApp.

Meta has until June 15th to comply with this directive, or risk heavy fines equivalent to up to 10 percent of its annual revenue – around $20 billion based on 2025 earnings. The company’s spokesperson rejected the case as regulatory overreach and plans to appeal.

This development highlights the ongoing tension between tech giants and regulators in ensuring a level playing field for innovation, while also underlining the growing importance of AI assistants in our digital lives.