Global technology regulation has taken another strong step. On December 25, the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) announced an emergency halt to Meta's policy of prohibiting third-party AI chatbots from accessing the WhatsApp Business API, citing that the action may involve abuse of market dominance and harm to competition in AI services and consumer interests. This move follows the European Commission's similar investigation launched this month, marking a systematic antitrust review of Meta's AI entry strategy in Europe.

Core Controversy of the Policy: Why Only Ban ChatGPT, Not Customer Service Robots?

In October 2024, Meta announced that starting in January 2025, it would revise the WhatsApp Business API policy by banning the distribution of general-purpose AI chatbots (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.) via the API, but allowing companies to use AI for dedicated customer service (such as e-commerce after-sales or bank inquiries). Meta argued that the API was "not designed for general chatbots" and that the system was under too much pressure.

However, regulators pointed out that the move was essentially using WhatsApp's 1.9 billion monthly active users to clear the way for its own "Meta AI." AGCM emphasized: "This policy may limit technological development and market access in the AI chatbot market, causing 'serious and irreversible' competitive harm."

EU Takes Similar Actions, Meta Faces a Regional Crackdown

Italy is not alone. The European Commission has already formally initiated an investigation into whether this policy violates the Digital Markets Act (DMA), preventing third-party AI service providers from operating in the European Economic Area (EEA). If confirmed, Meta could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.

Meta's Strong Response: Calls Decision a "Fundamental Mistake"

In response to the ban, Meta stated in a statement: "The decision by AGCM is fundamentally wrong. The WhatsApp Business platform has never been an 'app store' for AI companies. The real distribution channels for AI companies are the App Store, their official websites, and industry partnerships." The company said it will immediately appeal the decision.

Industry Impact: AI Access Battle Escalates into Legal Conflict

This incident reveals a deeper struggle: super apps are trying to control the "distribution lifeline" of AI services. If WhatsApp's API is open to general AI, it will quickly become a high-value traffic entrance for AI chatbots. Meta's move is widely seen as an extension of the "walled garden" strategy—supporting its own AI while blocking external competitors.

AIbase believes that the joint actions of Italy and the EU are not only about the compliance of a single company's policy, but also about defining the boundaries of "platform neutrality" and "interoperability" in the AI era. When communication platforms combine social, commercial, and AI distribution functions, how to prevent them from becoming "digital checkpoints" will become a core issue in global digital governance. This storm triggered by WhatsApp may just be the beginning of the battle over AI access points.