Meta Offers Conditional Free WhatsApp Access to AI Rivals in Europe

Meta Platforms has offered rival artificial intelligence chatbots, including OpenAI, limited free access to its WhatsApp social messaging service in Europe. The company would begin charging once rivals reach a specified usage limit, according to two individuals with knowledge of the matter.

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The details of this offer emerge as Meta Platforms, led by Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg, aims to satisfy strict European Union regulators. These regulators are intensifying scrutiny of large technology companies.

Meta submitted its proposal after the European Commission indicated it was considering an order to compel the firm to provide rivals access to WhatsApp. This access would be required until an ongoing investigation into the matter concludes. Neither side has publicly shared the offer's specifics.

Interested parties had until May 18 to provide feedback to the Commission before it decides whether to accept Meta's proposal. The proposed terms would allow Meta to charge rival artificial intelligence chatbots after they reach a specified limit of messages sent to users, the sources added.

The broader case highlights the European Union's focus on maintaining competition in nascent digital markets. The regulator aims to prevent large technology companies from consolidating market power or hindering smaller competitors.

The Commission declined comment, reiterating its priority is to maintain an open, competitive market for artificial intelligence assistants and innovators. It stated Meta's offer should facilitate additional discussions to resolve its concerns.

Meta reiterated previous statements, confirming it has granted rival artificial intelligence chatbots in Europe free access to the WhatsApp business Application Programming Interface, or API, for one month. This period allows the company to seek a resolution with European Union regulators. An API is a software interface dictating how two software systems interact.

Smaller rivals, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the offer. The Interaction Company of California, developer of the Poke.com artificial intelligence assistant, and French startup Agentik, both of which had filed complaints with the Commission, rejected Meta's proposal.

The Interaction Company of California stated, "Unfortunately, Meta's current proposal is far from resolving any of the competition concerns identified in this case." It added, "If Meta does not put forward a genuinely constructive proposal without delay, we urge the Commission to proceed with the interim measures."

Jeremy Andre, founder of Agentik, stated the offer discriminates against rivals because it would not apply to Meta's proprietary artificial intelligence. Meta's artificial intelligence chatbot does not use the WhatsApp API.

Meta introduced a policy in January permitting only its Meta artificial intelligence assistant on WhatsApp. The company amended this in March, stating rivals could use the social messaging application for a fee.

This change prompted a second charge sheet from the European Union watchdog. Meta subsequently suspended fees for one month while discussing its proposal with the Commission.

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• Meta Platforms has offered rival artificial intelligence chatbots limited free access to WhatsApp in Europe.

• The offer includes a fee once rivals exceed a specified message limit.

• The proposal aims to appease European Union regulators investigating competition concerns.

Source: REUTERS