Social media company Meta has been accused of trying to suppress its AI competitors through WhatsApp. These allegations have been made against the company in Italy. According to Italy’s Competition Commission, Meta has paved the way for excluding AI chatbot companies by changing WhatsApp’s service policy. This will prevent rival AI tools from reaching WhatsApp’s 37 million users. If the allegations are proved, the company could be fined billions of dollars and Meta could also be temporarily banned.
Controversy started due to new policy of WhatsApp
According to Italy’s antitrust authority, the dispute started when Meta updated WhatsApp’s terms of service on October 15, 2023. In the new policy it was clearly stated that companies whose main business is AI will not be allowed to use the WhatsApp Business platform. This may make it difficult for AI chatbot developers to reach WhatsApp’s large user-base. Italy says this step could limit consumer choice and harm competition in the market.
Meta called the allegations wrong
Meta termed these allegations as completely false. A WhatsApp spokesperson said that the Business API was never designed for an AI chatbot service. The company also clarified that the use of WhatsApp for existing businesses and customer support will continue as before. Despite this, European regulators do not have confidence in the cleanliness of Meta and believe that without changing the policy, AI-based competitors are being kept away from WhatsApp. In this scenario, the deep integration of Meta AI into WhatsApp has also come under scrutiny.
Investigation intensified, fine worth billions possible
The Italian agency has now started the formal process, which may also include steps like imposing a temporary ban on Meta. With these temporary orders, the company may be directed to withdraw its changed policy and stop further integrating Meta AI into WhatsApp. Under European rules, if Meta is found guilty, it could have to pay a fine of up to 10 percent of its global revenue. Meanwhile, in a revelation in America too, Meta has been accused of hiding serious risks on Instagram-Facebook, due to which the pressure on the company has increased further.
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