Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has said that it would not prohibit third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp in Italy.
Meta WhatsApp AI Policy and Italy Exception
The corporation has complied with the interim ruling from the nation’s antitrust watchdog (AGCM), according to news agency Reuters, which cited a note delivered to developers last week. According to the source, WhatsApp’s amended terms of service do not apply to phone lines with the Italian country code (+39).
WhatsApp banned AI firms from utilizing the WhatsApp Business Solution if AI is their main product, according to revised restrictions. On January 15, the new regulations take effect.
Regulatory Pressure from Italy’s Antitrust Authority
The exception comes after Meta was ordered by AGCM last month to halt the prohibition in Italy until a thorough investigation into market misuse was conducted. Notably, while it has not yet issued a comparable interim injunction, the European Commission has also started a formal antitrust investigation into the same scheme.
Co-founder and CEO of The Interaction Company of California Marvin von Hagen said Reuters, “Meta’s decision to continue enforcing its new WhatsApp API policy—shutting out AI competitors like Poke.com while only carving out +39 numbers—is terribly disheartening.”
Impact on AI Companies and Developers
🤖 WhatsApp Third-Party AI Chatbot Restrictions
- Policy Announcement: October 2025
- Effective Date: January 15
- Main Restriction: AI cannot be the primary product
- Italy Exception: +39 phone numbers exempt
- Regulatory Trigger: AGCM interim antitrust ruling
- Primary Beneficiary: Meta AI
The announcement of the policy change in October 2025 made it possible for Meta AI, the company’s virtual assistant, to take over the platform. In the meanwhile, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which has serviced 50 million WhatsApp users, has announced that it would shut down before the deadline in January.
In the past, Meta called the European investigations “baseless,” claiming that the proliferation of third-party AI chatbots strains systems not built to handle them. According to the parent company of Facebook, companies may still utilize AI for ancillary purposes like automated customer service, but not for their main product.
Competition and Market Dominance Concerns
⚠️ Antitrust and Competition Implications
- Concern: Reduced AI chatbot competition on WhatsApp
- Regulatory Focus: Market misuse and platform dominance
- EU Action: Formal antitrust investigation launched
- User Impact: Fewer AI choices on WhatsApp
- Developer Risk: Platform dependency concerns
- Future Scope: Digital Markets Act precedent
The decision by Meta to exclude third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp, with the exception of Italy, has significant ramifications for user choice, competition, and AI innovation.
Meta might increase its domination on one of the biggest messaging platforms in the world by limiting alternative AI services and allowing its own Meta AI to function freely.
European Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
Particularly in Europe, where antitrust monitoring is already intense, regulators are concerned that this action may restrict market competition.
The temporary exception for Italy underscores the escalating conflict between authorities and Big Tech firms about equitable access to digital platforms.
User Impact and AI Innovation Risks
Because well-known businesses like ChatGPT want to leave the platform, consumers may have less AI alternatives on WhatsApp as a result of the restriction. It raises questions about platform dependence and innovation constraints for developers and AI businesses, which might change how AI technologies are made available to customers in the future.
Additionally, this case may establish a precedent for the regulation of AI services under the Digital Markets Act and EU competition legislation.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. What led Meta to prohibit third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp?
Third-party AI bots, according to Meta, put a pressure on systems not built for high AI use. Regulators contend that the action would benefit Meta AI and limit competition.
Q2. Why does the WhatsApp AI restriction not apply to Italy?
An interim ruling compelling Meta to halt the ban while looking into possible market misuse was issued by Italy’s antitrust regulator (AGCM).
Q3. What is the start date of the new WhatsApp API regulations?
The revised rules, which limit AI startups whose main product is AI chatbots, go into effect on January 15.
Q4. Will ChatGPT no longer function on WhatsApp?
Indeed. ChatGPT will stop using WhatsApp before the January deadline, according to OpenAI.
Q5. Does the European Commission agree with Meta’s approach?
No. Unlike Italy, the European Commission has not yet issued an interim order, but it has initiated a formal antitrust investigation.
Q6. Is it still possible for companies to deploy AI on WhatsApp?
Yes, but not as the primary product, but for ancillary functions like customer service.
Q7. How does Meta AI gain from this?
By essentially clearing the way for Meta AI, the legislation lessens competition from competing AI chatbots.
Conclusion
In the worldwide discussion over Big Tech dominance and fair competition, Meta’s decision to exclude third-party AI chatbots on WhatsApp—while temporarily exempting Italy—marks a turning point. Although the move improves Meta AI’s standing on the platform, it has sparked regulatory opposition, especially in Europe where antitrust regulators are keenly monitoring any market misuse.
Users may have fewer options as well-known services like ChatGPT are ready to leave WhatsApp, while AI companies face new challenges in reaching consumers. The results of current investigations by the European Commission and Italy’s AGCM may provide a significant precedent for the regulation of AI platforms under EU competition legislation.
The current state of affairs is unstable, and more regulatory action may drastically alter the way AI services are permitted to function on popular messaging systems like WhatsApp.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available reports and regulatory statements. Information may change as investigations continue.
