Antitrust investigates Meta for pre-installing Meta AI on Whatsapp

The Authorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, in close cooperation with the European Commission, has decided to initiate preliminary investigation proceedings against Meta Platforms Inc., Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, WhatsApp Ireland Limited and Facebook Italy Srl - referred to as Meta - for alleged abuse of a dominant position in violation of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Meta, which holds a dominant position in the market for app-based communication services, from March 2025 decided to pre-install its own artificial intelligence service, called Meta AI, combining it with the WhatsApp app without users asking for it. Moreover, Meta AI was placed on the screen in a prominent position and integrated into the search bar.

By combining Meta AI with WhatsApp, Meta appears to be able to drive its user base into the new market, not by competing on the merits, but by 'imposing' on users the availability of the two separate services to the potential detriment of competing services. According to the Authority, there is therefore a risk that users could be 'locked in' or functionally dependent on Meta AI. Yesterday, Authority officials carried out inspections at the premises of Meta's Italian subsidiary, Facebook Italy Srl, with the help of the Antitrust Special Unit of the Guardia di Finanza.

Meta, through a spokesperson, let it be known that: "Offering free access to our artificial intelligence features on WhatsApp gives millions of Italians the choice to use AI in an environment they already know, trust and understand. We are fully cooperating with the Italian Competition Authority'.