Italy probes Facebook-parent Meta for possible abuse of dominance linked to WhatsApp AI features: Report

Italy's antitrust authority (AGCM) has reportedly ordered Facebook-parent Meta to suspend certain contract terms linked to WhatsApp. According to a report by news agency Reuters, the move comes as the antitrust agency investigates the company for a possible abuse of market power. The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) said the terms could block rival AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp, potentially limiting competition in the AI chatbot market. The regulator said Meta’s actions could restrict market access, reduce innovation, and harm consumers.The investigation began in July, when AGCM opened a probe into Meta over WhatsApp’s market position. In November, the regulator expanded the investigation to include updated contract terms related to WhatsApp’s business platform. According to AGCM, these conditions could fully exclude competitors to Meta’s own AI chatbot services from accessing WhatsApp.As per the report, a spokesperson for Meta called the decision "fundamentally flawed," and said the emergence of AI chatbots "put a strain on our systems that they were not designed to support"."We will appeal," the spokesperson added.European Union antitrust regulators launched a separate investigation last month into similar concerns involving Meta. The Italian watchdog said it is working closely with the European Commission to address the issue effectively.The move is part of a broader push by European regulators to tighten oversight of large technology companies. EU authorities have taken a tougher stance on Big Tech compared to regulators in the United States, a position that has drawn criticism from U.S. technology companies and from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.AGCM said its goal is to ensure fair competition in the fast-growing AI chatbot market while preventing dominant platforms from limiting access for rivals.