Technology & Science
Italy Halts Meta’s WhatsApp Chatbot Block Pending Antitrust Probe
On 24 Dec 2025, Italy’s antitrust regulator (AGCM) imposed an emergency order forcing Meta to suspend a new WhatsApp Business API rule—due to take effect 15 Jan 2026—that would have barred third-party, general-purpose AI chatbots from the platform while the authority investigates abuse-of-dominance charges.