Italy Expands Antitrust Investigation Of Meta Related To Use Of AI Equipment On WhatsApp
JAKARTA - Italian antitrust authorities on Wednesday, November 26 announced that they are expanding the scope of investigations into Meta Platforms over alleged abuse of the dominant position through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in WhatsApp instant messaging services.
This move adds to the pressure on the technology company from the United States, which is in the spotlight in various countries regarding the integration of AI in its products.
Italian regulators, known as AGCM, stated that the new WhatsApp Business Solution provisions, which took effect on October 15, as well as the integration of Meta AI interaction tools into WhatsApp, have the potential to limit output, market access, or technical developments in the AI-based chatbot service sector.
According to AGCM, these changes can create obstacles for competitors and reduce choice for business actors and digital service users.
Meta has yet to comment on the expansion of the investigation.
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AGCM added that it is also considering implementing temporary measures (interim measures) related to the new WhatsApp Business Solution provisions as well as the inclusion of the Meta AI interaction tool within the application. This step allows regulators to take quick action before the investigation process is complete, if it is considered that there is a risk of serious loss to competition.
The investigation into Meta first started in July 2025. At that time, regulators suspected Meta might have violated EU competition rules for bringing Meta AI assistants into WhatsApp without user consent.
Integration without explicit choices for users is considered to be able to provide unreasonable benefits for Meta in the fast-growing AI-based chatbot market.
Until now, there has been no clarity regarding the duration of investigations or potential sanctions that could be imposed, but Italian regulators affirm their commitment to ensure the AI market remains competitive and is not dominated by one party.