Italy’s Antitrust Authority has ordered Meta to suspend contractual terms on WhatsApp that exclude rival AI chatbot services. The decision, announced on Wednesday, links to an ongoing investigation into the possible abuse of a dominant market position.
The probe focuses on Meta’s integration of its Meta AI service into the WhatsApp platform. Regulators are assessing whether this integration unfairly restricts competition in the AI chatbot services market.
According to the authority, Meta’s conduct may limit production, market access and technical development. It said these effects could harm consumers by reducing choice and innovation. The watchdog added that the behaviour may already be causing serious and irreparable damage to competition while the investigation continues.
The authority also warned that Meta’s actions could undermine market contestability. It said interim measures were necessary to prevent further harm before the investigation reaches a conclusion.
Meta said it will appeal the decision. A company spokesperson described the ruling as groundless and criticised the authority’s interpretation of WhatsApp’s role in the market.
The spokesperson said the authority incorrectly treats WhatsApp as an app distribution platform. They added that the emergence of AI chatbots on Meta’s Business APIs has placed pressure on systems not designed to support that type of use.
Meta argued that AI companies market their products through app stores, websites and industry partnerships. It said the WhatsApp Business platform is not intended to serve as a marketplace for AI services.
