Italy’s antitrust authority has ordered Meta Platforms to suspend contractual terms on WhatsApp that could prevent rival artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots from operating on the platform, escalating a probe into whether the tech giant is abusing its dominant market position.
The ruling by the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s competition watchdog, comes as part of an investigation into Meta’s updated WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, introduced in October 2025, which regulators say could block competitors to Meta’s own AI services.
According to the regulator, the challenged terms are set to take full effect by January 15, 2026 but would “completely exclude competitors of Meta AI from the WhatsApp platform,” potentially limiting competition in the emerging AI chatbot market.
“These conditions could alter competition dynamics in the infant chatbot services market,” the AGCM said as it ordered Meta to suspend them while the probe continues.
Italy’s antitrust action follows months of scrutiny into Meta’s integration of its AI tools into WhatsApp, first launched in March 2025, with regulators investigating whether the company’s dominant position in messaging unfairly channels users toward its own AI instead of competing alternatives.
Meta has criticised the order, calling it “fundamentally flawed” and arguing that the demands of widespread AI chatbot use place “severe strain” on its systems. Despite this, the AGCM says the contractual terms could restrict “output, market access or technical development” for rival AI chatbot services.
Broader Implications for Tech Competition and Innovation
The Italian action reflects a broader trend in Europe toward tighter regulation of Big Tech, particularly around how dominant platforms integrate AI services. A parallel European Union antitrust investigation is also underway, targeting similar concerns about competition barriers in the messaging and AI sectors.
For startups, developers, and tech-enabled MSMEs, especially those building innovative chatbot solutions or digital customer-engagement tools, this ruling could signal stronger regulatory protection against exclusionary practices by dominant platforms. If upheld, it may help preserve fair access to major communication channels like WhatsApp, which many small businesses use for customer support, sales, and engagement.
What’s Next
Meta now faces ongoing scrutiny both in Italy and at the EU level, where regulators are assessing whether excluding third-party AI providers from WhatsApp breaches competition rules under European law. Final decisions on the investigation and possible penalties could emerge as late as December 2026
