Italy’s Competition Authority (AGCM) has ordered Meta to suspend a policy that blocks companies from using WhatsApp Business APIs to distribute their own general-purpose AI chatbots. The decision follows an ongoing investigation into whether Meta is abusing its dominant market position by favoring its own Meta AI within WhatsApp.
The Authority determined there is sufficient risk that the policy could restrict market access and technical development in the AI chatbot sector, potentially causing serious and irreversible harm to competition while the investigation continues. The restriction, announced by Meta in October and due to take effect in January, would have limited access for AI services from providers such as OpenAI and Perplexity, while still allowing AI tools used solely for customer service.
The European Commission has also opened a parallel inquiry into the policy’s impact across the EU. Meta has indicated it will challenge the Italian ruling.
