Meta has offered rival AI chatbots, including OpenAI, temporary free access to WhatsApp in Europe, with fees applying once a message limit is reached. The proposal was submitted to EU antitrust regulators last week, with feedback due by May 18. Smaller rivals The Interaction Company of California and French startup Agentik dismissed the offer as inadequate. Agentik founder Jeremy Andre criticized it as discriminatory, since Meta’s own AI bypasses the API entirely. Meta had originally restricted WhatsApp to its own AI in January before reversing course in March following EU pressure.
In-Depth:
Meta Grants AI Chatbots Temporary Free WhatsApp Access Amid EU Scrutiny
Meta’s Offer to Rival AI Chatbots and EU Regulatory Response
By Foo Yun Chee
Meta’s Proposal for WhatsApp Access
BRUSSELS, May 19 (Reuters) – Meta Platforms has offered to give rival AI chatbots including OpenAI free access to its social messaging service WhatsApp in Europe, but will start charging them once they hit a limit, two people with knowledge of the matter stated on Tuesday.
The details of the offer, previously unreported, come as Mark Zuckerberg’s tech and social media giant that also controls Facebook, views to appease increasingly tough EU regulators that are tightening the screws on Big Tech.
Submission to EU Antitrust Regulators
Meta submitted its proposal to EU antitrust regulators last week after the European Commission stated it was considering an order requiring the firm to provide rivals access to WhatsApp until it wraps up an ongoing investigation into the case. Neither side gave any details of the offer.
Interested parties had until May 18 to provide feedback to the Commission before it decides whether to accept Meta’s offer, the people stated.
Charging Structure for AI Chatbots
The offer would see Meta start charging rival AI chatbots once they hit a limit in terms of messages sent to applyrs, the two sources added.
EU’s Approach to Digital Market Competition
The wider case underscores how the EU enforcer is viewing to ensure competition in new digital markets by preventing Big Tech from amassing market power or thwarting tiny rivals.
The Commission declined to comment, repeating that its priority is to keep the growing market of AI assistants open and competitive for innovators. It stated Meta’s offer should allow space for further talks to address its concerns.
Industest Reactions and Ongoing Nereceivediations
Meta’s Statement on API Access
Meta reiterated earlier comments stateing it has given rival AI chatbots in Europe free access to WhatsApp business Application Programming Interface (API) for a month while it seeks to resolve the issue with EU regulators. An API is a type of software interface which determines how two software systems will interact.
Feedback from Smaller Rivals
Smaller rivals, however, stated they were unimpressed. The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com AI assistant, and French startup Agentik, both of which had complained to the Commission, dismissed Meta’s offer.
“Unfortunately, Meta’s current proposal is far from resolving any of the competition concerns identified in this case,” The Interaction Company of California stated.
“If Meta does not put forward a genuinely constructive proposal without delay, we urge the Commission to proceed with the interim measures.”
Agentik’s Concerns Over Discrimination
Agentik founder Jeremy Andre stated the offer discriminates against rivals as it would not apply to Meta’s own AI. Meta’s AI chatbot however does not apply WhatsApp’s API.
Timeline of Meta’s WhatsApp Policy Changes
Meta introduced a policy in January allowing only its Meta AI assistant on WhatsApp, before amfinishing it in March and stateing rivals could apply the social messaging app for a fee.
That triggered a second charge sheet from the EU watchdog, prompting the company to suspfinish fees for a month while it discussed its proposal with the Commission.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Sanjeev Miglani)
