The formal probe could be announced as early as Thursday, the source said, signaling another escalation in the EU’s scrutiny of major tech firms deploying AI tools across their platforms. While details of the inquiry have not yet been publicly disclosed, the investigation is expected to examine whether Meta’s integration of AI within WhatsApp complies with the bloc’s competition rules and emerging digital regulatory standards.
The move would add to a growing list of challenges Meta faces in Europe, where regulators have increasingly focused on data protection, competition concerns, and the potential risks associated with expanding AI systems across widely used communication services.
Meta has not yet commented on the reported investigation. As the EU prepares to tighten governance over artificial intelligence through legislation such as the AI Act, the probe could set an important precedent for how major tech companies deploy advanced AI features within messaging and social platforms.