Italy launches investigation into Meta over AI feature in WhatsApp
b>Italian Antitrust Body Launches Investigation into Meta’s WhatsApp AI Integration
b>Background
Italian competition regulators have opened a formal probe into Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, following allegations that the social‑media titan may be leveraging its advanced AI tools to gain an unfair commercial edge within the WhatsApp app.
b>Key Allegations
b>May 2025, Meta pre‑installed its proprietary AI service across the WhatsApp messaging platform, raising concerns that the company is effectively “imposing” its chatbot and AI assistance on users.
b>Antitrust Concerns
- b>Dominant Position
- b>Potential Market Manipulation
- b>Risk of User Lock‑In
b>Regulatory Actions
- b>On Tuesday, Italian authorities conducted an inspection of Meta’s Italian subsidiary premises, in conjunction with the Financial Police.
- b>Authorities are collaborating closely with the European Commission’s competent departments.
- b>Investigations aim to assess whether Meta’s AI integration creates a “functional dependence” on its services, potentially harming competitors.
b>Implications for the Market
Meta may be channeling its extensive customer base into an emerging AI market, not based on merit‑based competition but by “imposing” the availability of its distinct AI services upon WhatsApp users.
b>Conclusion
Italian antitrust regulators continue to evaluate whether Meta’s integration of AI into WhatsApp violates EU competition laws by creating a commercial advantage that could lock users into Meta’s AI ecosystem, thereby harming competitive dynamics within the consumer communications app sector.
