EU Orders Meta to Open WhatsApp API by May Under Digital Markets Act
European regulators have ordered Meta to open WhatsApp’s platform to rival AI chatbots by May 7 under the EU’s Digital Markets Act interoperability requirements. They warn noncompliance could trigger fines up to 10% of global annual revenue and periodic penalties of up to 5% of daily turnover.
1. EU Digital Markets Act Interoperability Requirement
The European Commission has designated Meta as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act, mandating that WhatsApp’s messaging infrastructure be made interoperable with third-party AI chatbots. This order aims to prevent anti-competitive bundling of Meta’s own AI services within its dominant messaging app.
2. Compliance Deadline and Penalties
Meta must comply with the interoperability directive by May 7 or face fines of up to 10% of its global annual turnover. Regulators can also impose periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of WhatsApp’s average daily worldwide turnover for continued noncompliance.
3. Business and Competitive Impact
Granting API access may dilute Meta’s control over user interactions and limit exclusive data advantages, potentially reducing engagement metrics and advertising yield. It also opens the platform to AI developers—such as leading chatbot providers—that could capture messaging usage and monetize advanced conversational features.