06:09 AM EDT, 09/25/2024 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Meta's response in the last two paragraphs.)

Meta Platforms ( META ) will not immediately join a European Union pact governing the development and implementation of AI but could do so at a later stage, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday, citing a company spokesperson.

The pact is a measure to get tech companies to abide by AI restrictions before an EU law governing AI fully comes into effect, Reuters reported.

"We welcome harmonized EU rules and are focusing on our compliance work under the AI Act at this time," Reuters quoted a Meta spokesperson as saying.

Meta's stance is in contrast to that of Alphabet's (GOOG) Google ( GOOG ) and Microsoft ( MSFT ) , who have agreed to sign onto the pledge, Bloomberg reported.

Companies that decline to commit to the pledge will not suffer financial penalties, Bloomberg reported.

A Meta spokesperson said the company does not "rule out our joining the AI Pact at a later stage."

"We welcome harmonised EU rules and are focusing on our compliance work under the AI Act at this time," the spokesperson said.

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