Meta Faces Up to 10% Revenue Fine for WhatsApp AI Data Lockout
EU competition enforcer warned Meta it must grant third-party AI models full API access to WhatsApp within a 12-week deadline or face a fine of up to 10% of global annual revenue. Failure to comply would breach the Digital Markets Act’s data interoperability requirements.
1. Regulatory Warning
EU competition authorities have formally notified Meta of potential breaches under the Digital Markets Act after WhatsApp restricted API access for external AI developers. The enforcer highlighted that insufficient data interoperability could undermine competition in the AI ecosystem.
2. Compliance Requirements
Meta has been given a 12-week period to open its WhatsApp API to third-party AI providers, ensuring message data can be accessed for model training and innovation. The DMA mandates that dominant platforms must offer fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms for such access.
3. Potential Financial Impact
Non-compliance carries a maximum penalty of 10% of Meta’s global annual turnover, which could amount to over $30 billion based on the company’s latest reported revenues. Such a fine would represent one of the largest regulatory levies ever imposed on a technology company.
4. Meta’s Response Options
Meta can either adjust its API policies to meet DMA obligations, seek extensions or interpose legal challenges against the warning. Company executives are weighing technical, commercial and legal pathways to mitigate regulatory risks while preserving platform control.