Italian antitrust authority probes Meta for WhatsApp AI integration

In July 2025, Italy's antitrust authority, known as Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), launched an investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc. regarding its practices related to WhatsApp. The investigation stems from allegations that Meta has breached European Union competition laws by essentially compelling users to adopt its artificial intelligence tools integrated within the WhatsApp messaging platform. AGCM expressed concerns that by pre-installing its AI services in WhatsApp, Meta is abusing its dominant market position to promote its capabilities in the AI sector. The regulator observed that this integration could effectively 'impose' the usage of its chatbot services on WhatsApp users rather than allowing for fair competition in the market. Following this announcement, antitrust officials conducted inspections at Meta's offices in Italy to gather evidence regarding these allegations. This investigation into Meta's practices is not an isolated issue in Italy but reflects broader concerns voiced across Europe. Other regulatory bodies, including the Irish data protection authority, are scrutinizing similar issues pertaining to Meta's data usage policies and AI technologies. Earlier in the same year, Meta had initiated the rollout of its AI tools in Europe after encountering regulatory hurdles. Given the growing scrutiny of AI technologies by various European entities, it is evident that European regulators are intensively focusing on how large tech companies are utilizing AI within their services and the potential monopolistic tendencies such practices may entail. In March 2025, the European Commission launched an inquiry to investigate whether Meta's AI services fall under the scope of the Digital Services Act (DSA), highlighting the increasing regulatory environment surrounding technology and its integration into everyday services. As Meta integrates more AI capabilities into its platforms, the implications for user privacy and fair market competition remain critical points for regulators to address. This ongoing scrutiny signifies a potentially transformative moment not only for Meta but for the technology industry's approach to AI and data utilization moving forward. Ultimately, the findings from AGCM and other regulators will greatly influence how Meta and similar firms operate within Europe. Should the investigation result in findings of wrongdoing, Meta could face significant penalties, including changes to how they operate AI tools across their platforms or even altering their overall business strategies in the EU market. The broader implications for tech companies operating in regions with strict regulatory frameworks like the EU serve as a cautionary tale for those looking to expand their technological footprints using AI while navigating complex competition laws and data privacy concerns.