Home / Technology / Meta Excludes Italy from AI Chatbot Ban Amid Probe
Meta Excludes Italy from AI Chatbot Ban Amid Probe
12 Jan
Summary
- Italy's antitrust authority ordered Meta to pause its ban on rival AI chatbots.
- Meta will exempt Italy from its updated WhatsApp terms of service to comply.
- Rivals criticize Meta's partial exemption, urging global suspension of the ban.
Meta Platforms will exclude Italy from its planned ban on rival AI chatbots within WhatsApp, following an order from the Italian antitrust authority (AGCM). This decision comes as AGCM investigates Meta for alleged abuse of market dominance, prompted by complaints from competitors. The updated terms of service, set to take effect on January 15, will exempt phone numbers with an Italian country code (+39).
The European Commission is also scrutinizing Meta's actions concerning its messaging service WhatsApp. Competitors argue that blocking other AI providers' access would unfairly benefit Meta's integrated AI assistant, Meta AI. The Interaction Company of California specifically criticized Meta's "Italian carve-out," stating it's "deeply disappointing" and that the policy should be suspended globally.
Marvin von Hagen, CEO of The Interaction Company, urged the European Commission to follow Italy's lead and implement interim measures swiftly. He asserted that the Italian authority's initial findings suggest Meta's conduct is anti-competitive under EU law. Meta has declined to comment on the specific updates to its terms of service.
