A576 - Meta AI: the Italian Competition Authority orders Meta to suspend the terms excluding competing AI Chatbots from WhatsApp

The scope of the investigation into Meta was broadened in November to include the new WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. The case, opened last July, examines the possible abuse of a dominant position arising from the company's integration of the Meta AI service into WhatsApp, where it is given greater prominence than competing services.

The Italian Competition Authority has imposed interim measures on Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, WhatsApp Ireland Limited and Facebook Italy S.r.l. (hereinafter "Meta"). The investigation was launched in July 2025 over the possible abuse of a dominant position in breach of article 102 TFEU because of the company's integration of the Meta AI service into WhatsApp, where it is given greater prominence than competing services. On 25 November 2025, the Authority broadened the scope of the investigation and also opened a procedure for the adoption of interim measures with respect to the new WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. These terms, which were introduced on 15 October and are set to become fully effective by 15 January 2026, completely exclude Meta AI's competitors from the WhatsApp platform in the AI Chatbot services market.

Upon completing the procedure for the adoption of interim measures pursuant to article 14-bis of Law 287/1990, and having heard the parties following the review of their written briefs, the Authority found that the conditions for adopting interim measures were met with respect to the effects of the conduct in Italy. According to the Authority, Meta's conduct appears to constitute an abuse, since it may limit production, market access or technical developments in the AI Chatbot services market, to the detriment of consumers. Moreover, while the investigation is ongoing, Meta's conduct may cause serious and irreparable harm to competition in the affected market, undermining contestability. Therefore, the Authority has ordered Meta to immediately suspend the WhatsApp Business Solution Terms in order to preserve access to the WhatsApp platform for Meta AI's competitors. The Italian Authority is coordinating with the European Commission to ensure that Meta's conduct is addressed in the most effective manner.

Rome, 24 December 2025

Text of the decision