The European Union is preparing to launch an investigation into how Meta Platforms Inc. integrated artificial intelligence features into WhatsApp, marking the latest escalation in the bloc’s scrutiny of major US technology companies.
According to a report by the Financial Times, the European Commission is expected to open the probe in the coming days, focusing on the rollout of Meta’s “Meta AI” system, which began in March.
While details of the inquiry remain unclear, the FT reported that the investigation will be conducted under traditional antitrust rules rather than the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the sweeping regulatory framework designed to rein in the market power of the largest digital platforms.
The report noted that the Trump administration views the DMA as an attempt by the EU to curtail US tech influence across Europe.
Italy already investigating Meta over WhatsApp AI rollout
The prospective EU probe comes as Italy’s antitrust authority continues its own ongoing investigation into Meta.
Italian regulators are examining allegations that Meta leveraged its dominant position to integrate AI features into WhatsApp without first obtaining user consent.
Last month, Italian authorities widened the inquiry to include changes to WhatsApp Business terms and newly added AI tools, arguing that the updated policies “may limit production, market access or technical developments in the AI Chatbot services market.”
The expanded probe underscores broader concerns in Europe about the competitive implications of embedding AI tools into widely used communication platforms.
Growing European pressure on Big Tech
The EU has intensified actions against major technology companies in recent years, increasingly focused on preventing potential market abuse as the digital footprint of US tech firms expands across the region.
The impending Meta investigation follows new DMA-related probes opened into Alphabet’s ranking of news outlets in search results and into the cloud-computing practices of Amazon and Microsoft.
European regulators have emphasised that they will continue to enforce digital rules despite criticism from Washington and warnings of potential retaliation.
The latest inquiry could heighten transatlantic tensions, particularly as US officials grow more vocal in their opposition to EU measures targeting Big Tech.
Rising US–EU tensions over tech regulation
Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is said to have lobbied the Trump administration against EU digital regulations, arguing that overly restrictive rules would leave Europe trailing both the US and China in the global AI race.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised EU antitrust and tech policies that he believes disadvantage American companies.
In August, Trump threatened tariffs and export restrictions on advanced technology and semiconductors in response to digital services taxes imposed by other nations.
Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance have publicly opposed EU regulations following meetings with Zuckerberg and his lobbying team.
Last month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick urged Brussels to relax its digital regulatory regime during a visit to the EU capital.
Meta fresh off US antitrust win
The EU’s forthcoming action comes just weeks after Meta prevailed in a high-profile antitrust case in the United States.
The Federal Trade Commission had sought to force the company—now valued at roughly $1.6 trillion—to unwind its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram, but a court ruled in Meta’s favour.
The new European probe signals that despite Meta’s legal win at home, regulatory pressure abroad continues to intensify, especially as AI becomes more deeply embedded into consumer services.
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