The European Union is escalating its antitrust standoff with Meta, warning it could take swift interim action after the tech giant restricted rival artificial intelligence services from operating on WhatsApp.

The European Commission said Monday it has formally charged Meta with violating EU competition rules, arguing that the company unfairly favors its own AI assistant by preventing competing AI developers from accessing WhatsApp’s platform.

Regulators issued a “statement of objections,” outlining their preliminary conclusion that the policy risks distorting competition in the rapidly expanding AI sector. The Commission also signaled it may impose interim measures; a rare and urgent step designed to prevent what it describes as “serious and irreparable harm” while the investigation continues.

At the heart of the dispute is WhatsApp’s enormous European user base, which regulators say gives Meta a powerful advantage in distributing digital services. By limiting third‑party AI tools, Brussels argues, Meta could be using its dominance in messaging to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence.

The case adds to mounting scrutiny of Meta under the EU’s sweeping tech regulations. In 2025, the company was found in breach of the Digital Markets Act, a landmark law aimed at curbing the power of dominant online “gatekeepers.”

If interim measures are imposed, Meta could be forced to reopen WhatsApp to rival AI services even before a final ruling is issued. A full adverse decision could bring heavy fines and stricter operational requirements.

As competition in artificial intelligence accelerates worldwide, the outcome of the case could shape how far major tech platforms are allowed to integrate their own AI tools into widely used digital ecosystems.