The European Commission formally requested Meta on Wednesday to eliminate any charges to competitors interested in integrating their artificial intelligence services into WhatsApp. This measure aims to promote competition in the European digital market, where the messaging app has over 2,000 million global users.
Details of the Official Request
From Brussels, the Community Executive argues that the tariffs imposed by Meta restrict access to innovations. If the technology company does not adjust its policy voluntarily, it will face direct regulatory obligations. This action is framed in the application of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a law that obliges large platforms to promote interoperability.
Regulatory Antecedents Against Meta
Meta has already received multimillion-dollar fines for anticompetitive practices. In 2024, the Commission fined the company with 1.800 million euros for abuse of dominance in Facebook. Now, with WhatsApp, the focus is on artificial intelligence services, a sector in explosion: the global AI generative market exceeded 40,000 million dollars in 2025, according to Statista analysts.
Opinions of Experts and Competitors
- Experts in digital law highlight that this pressure accelerates the fragmentation of tech monopolies.
- Competitors like xAI and Anthropic see an opportunity to expand their artificial intelligence services without economic barriers.
- European users might benefit from free chatbot options in WhatsApp.
The measure responds to complaints from startups that denounce exclusion. Meta defends its tariffs as infrastructure costs, but Brussels prioritizes fairness.
This request underscores Europe’s commitment to an open tech market, where artificial intelligence services can compete freely.
Implications for Dominican Users
In the Dominican Republic, where WhatsApp dominates 90% of mobile communications, this opening could bring advanced AI functions without extra costs. Millions of local users chat daily, and alternatives like automatic summaries or translations might arrive via third parties.
The case illustrates growing tensions between regulators and tech giants. Brussels insists that artificial intelligence services should not be limited to a single provider, promoting accessible innovation. Meta has an implicit deadline to respond, under risk of sanctions that could escalate.
This development reinforces surveillance over artificial intelligence services in key platforms like WhatsApp, benefiting consumers and entrepreneurs alike.
