Meta faces Italian competition investigation over WhatsApp AI chatbot

30/7/2025 18:05

Italy's antitrust authority said on Wednesday it had launched an investigation into Meta Platforms over allegations the company abused its dominant position by installing its artificial intelligence tool on messaging service WhatsApp.



The watchdog said Meta may have violated European Union competition rules by integrating its Meta AI assistant into WhatsApp without user consent, a move that might harm its competitors.



The company said it was cooperating with the Rome-based authority and that its AI service benefited customers.



"Offering free access to our AI features in WhatsApp gives millions of Italians the choice to use AI in a place they already know, trust and understand," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.



The authority, known as AGCM, said it acted "in close cooperation with the relevant offices of the European Commission".