Italy’s antitrust authority threw a wrench in Meta’s operations this Wednesday. The regulator, known as the AGCM, ordered the tech giant to immediately suspend specific contract terms that effectively ban rival AI chatbots from using WhatsApp. The watchdog suspects Meta is abusing its dominant market position to freeze out competition.
According to the AGCM, Meta’s current rules prevent third-party AI developers from accessing WhatsApp’s massive user base. The regulator argues that this conduct limits “output, market access, or technical development,” ultimately harming consumers. The agency was blunt in its assessment, stating that these contractual conditions appear designed to “completely exclude” Meta AI’s competitors from the platform.
Meta is fighting back. A company spokesperson rejected the ruling, calling it “fundamentally flawed.” The company argues this blockage isn’t about crushing competition, but about keeping the app running smoothly. The spokesperson claimed that the sudden emergence of third-party AI chatbots is placing a massive strain on their systems—a technical load WhatsApp was never designed to handle. “We will appeal,” the spokesperson confirmed.
This legal skirmish follows Italy’s July investigation. By November, the regulator widened the probe to look at updated terms for WhatsApp’s business platform. It isn’t just Italy, either. EU antitrust regulators launched a parallel investigation into the same allegations last month. The Italian watchdog confirmed it is now coordinating with the European Commission to ensure they address Meta’s conduct effectively.
The move highlights the growing divide between Europe and the United States regarding tech regulation. Europe has taken a much harder line against Big Tech to curb its expanding influence. This strict approach has sparked pushback from Silicon Valley and drawn criticism from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which generally favors a more lenient regulatory environment. For now, however, Meta faces a strict order to change how it handles rivals on its messaging app.
