Meta Platforms (META) is providing rival artificial intelligence (A.I.) chatbots with free access to its WhatsApp social media platform for one month.
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The unusual move comes as the social media company works to address concerns raised by European Union (EU) antitrust regulators. Specifically, Meta making WhatsApp available to rivals for free as the European Commission considers whether to mandate Meta to open WhatsApp to competing AI chatbots.
The EU antitrust enforcer responded positively to Meta’s announcement. Regulators in Europe have been upset with Meta after the company implemented a policy on Jan. 15 that restricted WhatsApp to its own Meta AI assistant.
Meta’s Regulatory Hurdles
Meta, which has faced increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers in Europe and the U.S., revised its policy concerning WhatsApp in March, allowing rival chatbots to access the messaging platform in exchange for a fee.
The tech company is currently in discussions with European regulators regarding commitments to resolve the competition concerns.