Overview
- Italy’s antitrust authority issued interim measures forcing Meta to pause new WhatsApp Business API terms that would bar general‑purpose chatbots starting January 15.
- Regulators said the suspension is needed to avert serious and irreparable harm to competition in the AI chatbot services market.
- The order requires access for competing AI assistants on WhatsApp and applies to Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., WhatsApp Ireland Ltd., and Facebook Italy Srl.
- The European Commission has opened a parallel antitrust investigation, with the Italian watchdog stating it is coordinating to address the conduct effectively.
- Meta called the decision fundamentally flawed, arguing the API was not designed to distribute large‑scale chatbots and indicating it will challenge the order.