In a significant move against big tech dominance, Italian authorities have ordered Meta to open its WhatsApp platform to competing artificial intelligence chatbots. This directive comes as both Italian and European Union regulators investigate whether the US tech giant is unfairly using its market power.
Regulatory Crackdown on Meta's AI Integration
On Wednesday, 24 December 2025, Italy's competition watchdog issued an interim order against Meta. The regulator demanded the company suspend new contractual conditions set to take effect from 15 January. These terms, introduced in October, were found to "completely exclude Meta AI's competitors from the WhatsApp platform in the AI Chatbot services market."
The investigation, which began in July, concluded that Meta's actions likely constitute an abuse of its dominant position. The regulator stated this conduct could limit market access, stifle production, and hinder technical development in the AI chatbot sector, ultimately harming consumers.
The Stakes for Competition and Users
Meta has integrated its generative AI assistant, Meta AI, across its family of apps, including Facebook and Instagram, which collectively serve billions globally. By locking WhatsApp's more than three billion users into its own AI service, Meta could gain a substantial commercial edge over rival chatbot providers.
AI chatbots represent a new frontier for information search and service delivery, potentially replacing traditional web browsers. The Italian regulator warned that Meta's conduct "may cause serious and irreparable harm to competition in the affected market," justifying the urgent interim measure.
Coordinated EU Scrutiny and Broader Legal Woes
This action is part of a wider European crackdown. Earlier in December, the European Commission launched its own antitrust probe to determine if Meta's rollout of AI features in WhatsApp violates the bloc's competition rules. The Italian authority has pledged to coordinate closely with the EU Commission to address Meta's practices effectively.
Meta is already facing multiple legal challenges in Europe:
- Potential heavy fines under the Digital Services Act (DSA) for content regulation failures.
- One DSA case alleges Meta denied researchers sufficient access to public data.
- Another accuses Facebook and Instagram of not having user-friendly tools to report illegal content or challenge moderation decisions.
- EU regulators are also examining whether these platforms are doing enough to protect children from addictive features.
Separately, Meta is appealing a 200-million-euro fine imposed this year under the Digital Markets Act. The fine relates to its policy forcing users to choose between an ad-free subscription or a free, ad-supported service.
When the EU probe was announced, WhatsApp dismissed the claims that its new terms hindered competition as "baseless." The company now must comply with the Italian order while the investigations continue, marking a pivotal moment in the regulation of AI and market power in the digital age.
