EU orders Meta to let rival AI chatbots into WhatsApp for free

The European Union has ordered Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, to allow rival artificial intelligence chatbots onto the messaging platform for free. This means companies like Google or startups could offer their own AI assistants inside WhatsApp, without paying Meta for access.

The decision is part of the EU's push to enforce fair competition in digital markets. Meta had previously blocked or removed competing chatbots from WhatsApp, but the EU says that violates rules requiring large platforms to give users and businesses more choice. If Meta doesn't comply, it could face heavy fines.