Exclusive: Meta provides AI competitor chatbots with limited free WhatsApp access, say sources

• Meta's offer provides free WhatsApp API access to rival AI chatbots initially, then charges once they hit a message volume limit, while Meta's own AI assistant does not use the WhatsApp API
• The European Commission is scrutinizing whether Meta is preventing competition in AI assistant markets, with interested parties given until May 18 to provide feedback on Meta's proposal
• AI rivals including The Interaction Company (developer of Poke.com) and French startup Agentik rejected the offer as inadequate and urged the Commission to proceed with interim measures

Meta Offers Limited Free WhatsApp Access to Rival AI Chatbots Amid EU Scrutiny

Meta Platforms has proposed giving rival AI chatbots, including OpenAI, limited free access to WhatsApp in Europe, but will begin charging once usage hits a certain message threshold, according to sources. The offer comes as the European Commission investigates Meta for potential anticompetitive practices and considers ordering the company to provide rival access to its messaging platform.

Key Details:

• Meta submitted the proposal to EU antitrust regulators last week, with interested parties having until May 18 to provide feedback
• The company is offering rival AI chatbots free access to WhatsApp's business API for one month while negotiations continue
• Charges would apply after rivals exceed a specific limit on messages sent to users
• Meta introduced a policy in January restricting WhatsApp to only its Meta AI assistant, then amended it in March to allow rivals for a fee

Market Implications:

Smaller competitors have rejected Meta's proposal as insufficient. The Interaction Company of California (developer of Poke.com) and French startup Agentik, both Commission complainants, called the offer inadequate. Agentik founder Jeremy Andre argues the proposal discriminates against rivals since it wouldn't apply to Meta's own AI chatbot, though Meta notes its AI doesn't use WhatsApp's API.

The case highlights EU regulators' efforts to prevent Big Tech dominance in emerging AI markets and ensure competitive access for smaller innovators. The Commission has not commented on specifics but emphasized its priority to keep AI assistant markets open and competitive. Meta's amended policy triggered a second EU charge sheet, prompting the current negotiations.