EU Prepares Antitrust Probe Into Meta’s AI Integration on WhatsApp

The European Commission is reportedly preparing to launch a new antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) over the company’s recent rollout of artificial intelligence features within WhatsApp. According to a Financial Times report citing two officials familiar with the matter, regulators in Brussels are examining how Meta integrated its Meta AI system into the widely used messaging platform earlier this year. The official announcement of the investigation could come within days, although the timeline may still shift.

This potential probe adds to a growing list of regulatory challenges Meta faces across Europe, where scrutiny of its business practices has intensified. EU authorities have increasingly focused on issues such as competition, data privacy, and the company’s influence across its suite of apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The introduction of AI-driven features—designed to enhance user experience and streamline communication—has raised questions among regulators about whether Meta is leveraging its dominant position in ways that could limit competition or undermine consumer protections.

If confirmed, the investigation would highlight Europe’s ongoing efforts to set stricter rules around artificial intelligence deployment and digital market dominance. Meta’s integration of AI into WhatsApp marks a significant shift as the company expands its AI capabilities across its platforms, but it also places Meta under deeper regulatory pressure. European authorities have previously taken action against major tech companies to curb anti-competitive behavior, and this latest scrutiny signals that AI-driven tools will not be exempt from oversight.

As Meta continues to push forward with its AI strategy, the outcome of the anticipated EU probe could shape how big tech companies are allowed to implement emerging technologies within the region, potentially influencing future regulatory frameworks worldwide.