Rome: Italy's competition authority has intensified its investigation into Meta, expressing concerns that the company's revised rules for WhatsApp Business users and the integration of new AI tools from Meta could distort competition in the burgeoning AI chatbot market.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Autorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) highlighted that the updated WhatsApp Business Solution Terms, which took effect on October 15, effectively exclude competitors of Meta's AI services from operating on WhatsApp. The watchdog argued that these rules could restrict competitors' access to users and stifle innovation.

In addition to broadening the ongoing inquiry, the regulator has initiated proceedings to consider urgent interim measures under Italy's competition law. These precautionary actions focus on both the new contractual terms and the introduction of new Meta AI features within WhatsApp.

The authority noted that the changes may "limit production, market outlets, or technical development in the AI chatbot services sector, to the detriment of consumers," potentially violating Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which prohibits the abuse of dominant market positions.

The regulator further cautioned that Meta's actions could inflict "serious and irreparable" harm on market competition. It emphasized that consumers' hesitance to switch messaging platforms complicates the ability of rival chatbot providers to compete if Meta uses WhatsApp's reach to favor its own AI tools.