THE’Competition and market authority (AGCM)in collaboration with the competent offices of the European Commission, has launched an investigation against Half and its subsidiaries – including WhatsApp Ireland Limited and Facebook Italy srl – for an alleged abuse of dominant position, in violation of article 102 of the treaty on the functioning of the European Union (TFEU).
At the center of the investigation is the decision, adopted from March 2025, of Pre -install Meta Ai, the company’s artificial intelligence service, directly within WhatsApp.
The service, which allows users to interact through a virtual assistant based on generative artificial intelligence technologies, was made available automatically and without explicit request by users. Meta Ai appears in a prominent position in the app screen and is integrated into the search bar, thus increasing the probability that it will also be used involuntary.
Among other things, users cannot remove or hide the meta icon for or the associated research function. However, they can use others to the outsiders, but these remain less visible. In addition, Meta uses users’ interactions with a destination to train and improve the artificial intelligence model, unless otherwise indicated by the users themselves.
An incorrect competitive advantage?
According to AGCM, this strategy could represent A form of imposition that uses the dominant position of WhatsApp In the communication services market via App to encourage the entry and affirmation of Meta Ai in the chatbot market. In this way, a destination would not act according to meritocratic competition logic, but would use its market strength to obtain an incorrect competitive advantage.
The Authority also underlines the risk of a “lock-in” effect for users: Over time, destination ai could become increasingly precise and personalized, making it difficult for users to move on to alternative solutions. This mechanism, which binds the user to the service on the basis of the progressive collection of data and interactions, could damage competition and limit freedom of choice.
It is not the first time that Meta is involved in investigations for anti -concurrence practices: In the past, the company has been the subject of investigation by the European and US authorities. In this case, the AGCM officials, with the support of the special antitrust nucleus of the Guardia di Finanza, have already carried out inspections at the Facebook Italy Srl headquarters in Rome.
The investigation is only at the beginning, but the case could mark a new chapter in the comparison between the giants of technology and the guaranteed authorities, once again putting the delicate balance between innovation, competition and user rights at the center.
