Meta Excludes Italy from WhatsApp AI Chatbot Ban Amid Antitrust Probe
Meta has excluded Italy from its global ban on AI chatbots accessing WhatsApp's API following an interim order from Italy's antitrust authority. The exemption comes as the updated terms of service take effect globally on January 15, 2026.
Insights:
Meta Platforms Inc. has announced that Italy will be excluded from its planned global ban on rival AI chatbots accessing WhatsApp's API. This decision follows an interim order from Italy's antitrust authority, the AGCM, which is investigating whether the ban constitutes an abuse of market dominance. The updated terms of service are set to take effect globally on January 15, 2026, but phone numbers with Italian country codes will be exempt from these restrictions.
