Italy’s competition watchdog has ordered Meta to temporarily halt the enforcement of updated WhatsApp terms that could restrict access for third-party AI chatbots. The regulator argues that the policy may unfairly favor Meta’s own artificial intelligence offerings while limiting consumer choice and market competition.

🤖 Concerns Over AI Competition

At the center of the dispute is WhatsApp’s evolving role as a platform for AI-powered chat experiences. Regulators believe Meta’s revised terms may prevent rival AI assistants from operating freely within WhatsApp, potentially steering users toward Meta-controlled AI tools instead. This, authorities warn, could distort the rapidly growing AI chatbot ecosystem.

⚖️ Potential Abuse of Market Dominance

Italy’s watchdog emphasized that WhatsApp’s massive user base gives Meta a dominant position in the messaging market. Any contractual changes that limit interoperability or disadvantage competitors could be viewed as an abuse of that dominance under European competition laws, particularly as AI services become core digital infrastructure.

📜 Temporary Halt While Investigation Continues

The order requires Meta to pause the implementation of the contested terms until the regulator completes a deeper investigation. If violations are confirmed, Meta could face fines or be required to permanently revise its policies to ensure fair access for competing AI services.

🌍 Broader Implications for Big Tech and AI

This move adds to mounting regulatory pressure across Europe targeting Big Tech’s AI strategies. As messaging apps increasingly integrate generative AI, regulators are signaling that platform owners cannot use their scale to lock out innovation or competitors.

🔮 What This Means for Users and Developers

For users, the ruling could help preserve choice by allowing multiple AI assistants to coexist within popular messaging platforms. For developers, it reinforces the message that regulators are watching closely as AI becomes embedded into everyday digital services.