EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over WhatsApp

EU regulators launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms on Thursday and may even temporarily halt its rollout of artificial intelligence features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals, hardening Europe's already tough stance on Big Tech.

- FOO YUN CHEE MRINMAY DEY RISHABH JAISWAL

The move, reported earlier by Reuters and the Financial Times, is the latest action by European Union regulators against large technology firms such as Amazon and Alphabet's Google as the bloc seeks to balance support for the sector with efforts to curb its expanding influence.

Europe's tough stance — a marked contrast to more lenient US rules — has sparked an industry pushback, particularly by US tech titans, and criticism from the Trump administration.

The European Commission said the investigation will look into Meta's new policy that would limit other AI providers' access to WhatsApp, a potential boost for its own Meta AI system added to the platform earlier this year.

EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said the move was to prevent dominant firms from “abusing their power to crowd out innovative competitors”. She added measures could be imposed to block Meta’s new WhatsApp AI policy rollout.