Meta has offered rival artificial intelligence chatbots temporary free access to WhatsApp’s business messaging infrastructure in an attempt to ease mounting antitrust pressure from European Union regulators.

The move comes as the European Commission intensifies scrutiny of Meta’s restrictions on third-party AI assistants operating through WhatsApp, one of the world’s largest messaging platforms with billions of users globally.

According to reports, Meta proposed granting competing AI chatbot providers one month of free access to WhatsApp’s Business API while discussions with EU regulators continue over potential competition law violations.

European regulators had earlier indicated they were considering forcing Meta to open WhatsApp access to rival AI services after the company initially limited advanced AI integrations to its own Meta AI platform earlier this year.

Meta later revised the policy to allow external AI chatbot access for a fee, but regulators reportedly argued the pricing structure still disadvantaged smaller competitors and could reinforce Meta’s dominance in the rapidly expanding AI ecosystem.

The case highlights growing global concerns over the control major technology firms exert over digital platforms that increasingly serve as gateways for AI services, business communication and online commerce.

EU officials welcomed Meta’s latest proposal as a positive step but signaled that the company still faces potential penalties if negotiations fail to resolve competition concerns. Under European antitrust rules, companies found guilty of anti-competitive practices can face fines of up to 10% of annual global revenue.

The dispute reportedly began after complaints from competing AI firms that alleged Meta unfairly blocked or restricted rival chatbot services on WhatsApp while prioritizing its own AI products.

Industry analysts say the outcome of the case could shape how AI assistants integrate with major messaging platforms in the future, particularly as companies race to embed generative AI into everyday communication tools.

The development also underscores increasing regulatory pressure on Big Tech firms across Europe, where authorities are pushing for stricter oversight of digital gatekeepers under new competition and digital market rules.