WhatsApp (META) will allow AI chatbots from rivals on its platform in Europe by charging them a fee, after the bloc’s regulator found that the Meta-owned messaging app was taking advantage of its market position and restricting outside players.
The EU’s findings were part of a broader probe launched into Meta in December last year after the company introduced a policy in October to not allow external AI chatbots for business communication on WhatsApp.
“For the next 12 months, we’ll support general purpose AI chatbots using the WhatsApp Business API in Europe in response to the European Commission’s regulatory process,” a spokesperson for WhatsApp said Thursday.
“We believe that this removes the need for any immediate intervention as it gives the European Commission the time it needs to conclude its investigation,” the spokesperson said.
Meta said general AI chatbot providers will pay the company about €0.0490 to €0.1323 per non-template message, depending on the country. The final amount could be hefty for service providers if chatbot conversations become lengthy.
“The Commission is assessing the impact of these changes on its investigation into temporary measures, as well as on the broader antitrust investigation on its merits,” a spokesperson for the European Commission said.
In January, Meta allowed AI chatbots in Italy after an order from the country’s antitrust watchdog, which is separately investigating the company’s AI policy.
Meta said the changes will also apply in Brazil following a Wednesday court decision to reinstate an injunction on the company related to an investigation similar to the ones ongoing in the EU and Italy.