Italian authorities order Meta to remove 'terms banning rival AI chatbots from using WhatsApp'
On Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (local time), Italy's antitrust authority, the
Italy watchdog orders Meta to halt WhatsApp terms barring rival AI chatbots | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/italy-watchdog-orders-meta-halt-whatsapp-terms-barring-rival-ai-chatbots-2025-12-24/
Italy tells Meta to suspend its policy that bans rival AI chatbots from WhatsApp | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/24/italy-tells-meta-to-suspend-its-policy-that-bans-rival-ai-chatbots-from-whatsapp/
Italian regulators accuse Meta Platforms of antitrust violations - UPI.com
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/12/24/1241766613276/
Meta, a leading technology company, develops and provides the messaging app WhatsApp and the AI chatbot Meta AI. In its WhatsAppBusiness Solution Terms of Service , Meta states, 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) or machine learning technology providers and developers ('AI Providers'), as defined by Meta in its sole discretion, are strictly prohibited from directly or indirectly accessing or using the WhatsApp Business Solution (WhatsApp's business API and related services) if:
This means that you may not use the WhatsApp Business Solution to offer, distribute, offer, sell or otherwise make available any other company's large-scale language models (LLMs), generative AI platforms, AI assistants or similar technologies if Meta determines that such technologies constitute a 'primary functionality.'
WhatsApp Business Solution Terms
https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/business-solution-terms/preview
The AGCM ordered Meta to remove the clause from WhatsApp's terms of service, arguing that it abused its market dominance. However, Meta told Reuters it was considering appealing the decision, describing it as 'fundamentally flawed' and that 'the emergence of AI chatbots has placed an unexpected strain on our systems.'
The AGCM explained that Meta's actions could restrict 'supply, market participation and technological development' in the AI chatbot market, to the detriment of consumers.
The AGCM launched an investigation into Meta in July 2025, alleging that WhatsApp was abusing its market dominance. In November, the investigation was expanded to include WhatsApp's business solutions terms of use.
Regarding this decision, the AGCM pointed out that 'the applicable terms of service completely exclude Meta AI's competitors in the AI chatbot market from WhatsApp.'
The EU's antitrust enforcement agency has launched an investigation into Meta over similar allegations, and the AGCM said it is working with the European Commission, the EU's executive body, to 'deal with Meta's conduct in the most effective way.'
Related Posts:
