Italy Orders Meta to Halt WhatsApp Terms Blocking Rival AI Chatbots – TradingView — Track All Markets
Italy's competition authority ordered Meta Platforms (META, Financials) to suspend contractual provisions that might ban WhatsApp AI chatbots from competing. The order is part of an examination into whether Meta misused its strong market position by barring other messaging services.
The Italian Antitrust Authority said Meta's contractual conditions might limit AI chatbot services market output, market access or technical development and hurt consumers and innovation.
Meta called the decision fundamentally flawed, claiming that third-party chatbot integrations overburden unsupported infrastructure. Company plans to appeal the verdict.
The AGCM began investigating WhatsApp in July and added new business platform rules in November. To enforce Meta consistently, the regulator is working with the European Commission, which opened a parallel probe last month.
Europe's more harsh regulatory attitude against giant U.S. tech corporations contrasts with the US's more liberal approach. The result may influence how digital platforms handle AI technologies and third-party integrations.
EU officials are scrutinizing Meta under the Digital Markets Act, which aims to prohibit dominant platforms from favoring their own services. The Italian inquiry may lead to regulatory steps in early 2026.
Select market data provided by ICE Data Services. Select reference data provided by FactSet. Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.Copyright © 2025, American Bankers Association. CUSIP Database provided by FactSet Research Systems Inc. All rights reserved. SEC fillings and other documents provided by Quartr.© 2025 TradingView, Inc.
