**Italy Challenges Meta Over WhatsApp AI Bot Ban**
Italy’s data protection authority, Garante per la protezione dei dati personali, has reportedly ordered Meta to suspend a policy that would ban rival AI chatbots from its popular messaging service, WhatsApp.
The move comes amidst concerns over potential anti-competitive practices and user choice. Meta had signaled intentions to prevent third-party AI assistants from integrating with WhatsApp, a stance that drew swift scrutiny from Italian regulators. The Garante is reportedly seeking clarification and a temporary halt to the policy’s implementation, emphasizing the need for a fair and open digital ecosystem. This intervention highlights ongoing European efforts to ensure tech giants comply with competition and data privacy regulations.