The Italian Competition Authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, AGCM) has initiated interim measures proceedings against Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, WhatsApp Ireland Limited, and Facebook Italy S.r.l. (collectively, “Meta”) in connection with alleged anticompetitive conduct relating to WhatsApp Business.
The Authority announced that it has expanded the scope of an ongoing investigation into Meta’s contractual conditions under the “WhatsApp Business Solution Terms.” These terms, which came into effect on 15 October 2025, exclude rival companies active in the AI chatbot services market from accessing the WhatsApp platform. Meta has also integrated new Meta AI interaction tools and functionalities into WhatsApp, further raising competitive concerns.
According to the AGCM, the revised contractual framework and the introduction of additional Meta AI features could restrict production, market access, or technological development within the AI chatbot services sector. Such effects, the Authority noted, may harm consumers and could constitute a potential violation of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which prohibits the abuse of a dominant position.
The Authority also signaled that Meta’s conduct may seriously and irreparably undermine market contestability. Consumer inertia—namely, the reluctance of users to switch platforms despite the availability of alternatives—could further entrench Meta’s market power and amplify the exclusionary impact of the new conditions.
The initiation of interim measures under Article 14-bis of Law No. 287/1990 suggests that the AGCM considers there to be a risk of immediate and lasting damage to competitive dynamics absent urgent intervention.