The European Union has initiated a formal antitrust investigation targeting Meta Platforms Inc., focusing on the artificial intelligence features integrated into its popular messaging service, WhatsApp. This significant regulatory move was first reported by the news agency Bloomberg on Thursday, 4 December 2025.
Details of the EU Antitrust Investigation
According to the report, European regulators are scrutinising how Meta is implementing and potentially leveraging AI capabilities within WhatsApp. The investigation falls under the EU's stringent antitrust and digital competition rules, which are designed to ensure fair market practices and prevent large tech companies from abusing their dominant positions.
The specific concerns centre on whether Meta's use of AI in WhatsApp could be anti-competitive. Authorities are likely examining if the features unfairly lock in users, misuse data, or create barriers for rival services. This probe represents a major escalation in the EU's ongoing regulatory crackdown on Big Tech, with Meta frequently finding itself in the crosshairs.
Timing and Broader Context
The news broke on 4 December 2025, as noted by journalist Anubhav Mukherjee. It is currently a developing story, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses. This action by EU regulators is part of a wider, global trend of increasing scrutiny on how major technology firms handle user data and deploy new technologies like artificial intelligence.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has consistently faced regulatory challenges in Europe over its data-sharing practices, market dominance, and advertising models. The integration of advanced AI into a service with billions of users, like WhatsApp, naturally attracts regulatory attention concerning privacy, competition, and consumer choice.
Potential Implications and Next Steps
The launch of this formal probe could lead to several outcomes:
- Extended Scrutiny: A lengthy investigation process where Meta will have to provide extensive documentation and justification for its AI implementations in WhatsApp.
- Potential Fines: If found in violation of EU antitrust laws, Meta could face substantial financial penalties, which can reach up to 10% of its global annual turnover.
- Mandatory Changes: The EU could order Meta to alter its business practices, change how its AI features work, or impose other behavioural or structural remedies to restore competition.
This development underscores the growing tension between rapid technological innovation led by Silicon Valley giants and the regulatory frameworks established in regions like the European Union. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how AI features are regulated within dominant messaging platforms and social media apps worldwide.
