Key Takeaways
- Meta (META) is reportedly facing an EU antitrust probe as early as Thursday, December 4, 2025, with the investigation focusing on its use of AI in WhatsApp.
- South Africa's current account balance showed significant improvement in Q3, narrowing its deficit to -57 billion rand from -83 billion rand previously, and hitting -0.7% of GDP, better than the estimated -1.2%.
- Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is arranging a mid-January meeting with South Korean President Lee in Nara, according to Kyodo, signaling potential diplomatic advancements between the two nations.
- Russia's Defence Ministry stated its forces targeted Ukrainian transport and energy infrastructure, as reported by TASS, indicating ongoing military actions.
Meta Faces EU Antitrust Scrutiny Over WhatsApp AI Use
Meta Platforms (META) is reportedly on the verge of an EU antitrust probe, with a source indicating the investigation could commence as early as Thursday, December 4, 2025. The focus of the European Union's inquiry is said to be Meta's use of artificial intelligence (AI) within its popular messaging service, WhatsApp. This development highlights the increasing regulatory scrutiny faced by major tech companies regarding their AI practices and market dominance.
The potential probe could have significant implications for Meta's operations in the EU and its broader AI strategy, particularly concerning how it integrates advanced technologies across its various platforms. Regulatory bodies worldwide are intensifying their examination of AI's competitive impact and data usage.
South Africa's Current Account Deficit Narrows Significantly
South Africa's economic data showed a notable improvement in its current account balance for the third quarter. The deficit narrowed considerably to -57 billion rand, a substantial improvement from the previous quarter's -83 billion rand.
As a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the current account deficit for Q3 stood at -0.7%. This figure significantly outperformed market expectations of a -1.2% deficit and marked an improvement from the prior quarter's -1.1%. The stronger-than-expected performance suggests a more resilient external sector for the South African economy.
Diplomatic Engagements and Geopolitical Tensions
In diplomatic news, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi is reportedly arranging a meeting with South Korea’s President Lee in Nara for mid-January. This high-level engagement, reported by Kyodo, could signal efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and address regional issues between the two East Asian nations.
Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions persist in Eastern Europe. Russia’s Defence Ministry announced that its forces have targeted Ukrainian transport and energy infrastructure. This statement, conveyed by TASS, indicates a continuation of military operations impacting critical infrastructure in Ukraine.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.