Italy’s antitrust regulator (AGCM) has expanded scrutiny of Meta Platforms over alleged abuses connected to the integration of its artificial-intelligence tools in WhatsApp. The extended investigation now covers updated terms for WhatsApp’s “Business Solutions” offerings – introduced on 15 October – and the rollout of Meta’s AI-interaction features.
Under the revised terms, companies that rely primarily on third-party AI chatbots risk losing access to WhatsApp’s business interface. Regulator concerns centre on the idea that such rules could shut rival AI-tool providers out of a market effectively dominated by Meta, distorting competition in the broader AI-chatbot services sector. The investigation, which originally began in July 2025, may result in interim measures to suspend or limit certain features while the probe continues.
Meta rejects the allegations, calling them “unfounded.” The company says the WhatsApp business API was never designed for use by AI-powered chatbots at scale, and that the recent policy updates do not hinder legitimate business-to-customer operations.
Beyond the technical debate, this case raises broader questions about the competitive dynamics in the AI-enabled communications market. Firms building independent AI-chat services may find themselves squeezed out if access to large user bases depends on compliance with restrictive platform policies. The unresolved issue remains whether regulators will enforce structural changes – and if so, whether the pushback against platform dominance will give smaller players room to innovate.
