Several Meta companies are under antitrust investigation for abuse of dominant position in artificial intelligence.

On Tuesday, Italy’s Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) announced that several Meta companies are under antitrust investigation for “alleged abuse of dominant position in artificial intelligence,” after preinstalling their AI service in the WhatsApp application without users’ consent.

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The AGCM launched the probe into the U.S. tech giant’s practice, stating that Meta “holds a dominant position in the market for app-based communication services.”

By preinstalling the AI service on WhatsApp since March, “Meta may be imposing the use of its AI-powered chatbots and assistance services on users,” Italian authorities said.

“By linking Meta AI with WhatsApp, Meta appears to be able to steer its user base toward the new market not through merit-based competition, but by forcing users to access both services, potentially harming competing services,” the AGCM said.

“There is a risk that users may become locked in or functionally dependent on Meta AI, partly because the service—by using information provided over time—could offer increasingly useful and relevant responses,” the authority added.

Meta responded to the investigation by defending the free access to its AI features and said the company is fully cooperating with the Italian antitrust authority.

“Providing free access to our AI features on WhatsApp gives millions of Italians the option to use AI in an environment they already know, trust and understand,” a Meta spokesperson said.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: EFE – ANSA

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