Italy’s competition watchdog, the AGCM, has officially ordered Meta Platforms to suspend policies that prevent competing AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp. This ruling, issued on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, is part of an ongoing probe into whether the tech giant is abusing its dominant market position.
The regulator is concerned that Meta’s restrictive terms could stifle innovation and limit consumer choice. By blocking third-party developers, Meta may be unfairly favoring its own AI tools within the popular messaging app.
Expanding the Investigation
The AGCM first launched its inquiry in July 2025 to examine the integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp. However, the scope was widened in November to include updated terms for the WhatsApp Business Solution.
The regulator’s primary concerns include:
- Exclusionary Policies: Terms introduced in late 2025 prohibit businesses from using WhatsApp if their main service is an AI chatbot.
- Market Access: The watchdog warns these rules could cause “irreparable harm” to rivals like OpenAI or Google by denying them access to WhatsApp’s massive user base.
- Consumer Impact: Restricting competition could limit the quality and variety of AI services available to the public.
Meta’s Response and Planned Appeal
Meta has criticized the order, calling the decision “fundamentally flawed.” A spokesperson explained that the surge of third-party AI chatbots has placed an unexpected technical burden on the platform’s infrastructure.
“The emergence of AI chatbots put a strain on our systems that they were not designed to support,” Meta stated.
The company also argued that the AI sector remains highly competitive and that users have many other ways to access digital services. Consequently, Meta has confirmed it will appeal the Italian ruling in court.
A Global Regulatory Shift
Italy’s action follows a broader trend of European regulators challenging “Big Tech” influence. The European Commission also launched a parallel investigation into Meta’s AI policies across the continent earlier this month.
While European authorities are taking a tough stance to ensure fair competition, the approach has drawn criticism from the U.S. administration, which argues that these rules unfairly target American technology leaders. If found guilty, Meta could face significant fines and be forced to permanently change its business terms in the region.
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