Italy’s data protection authority has ordered Meta to halt the enforcement of updated WhatsApp terms of service that prohibit rival AI chatbots from accessing the platform’s messaging data. The regulator, Garante per la protezione dei dati personali, issued the directive after determining the new terms could restrict competition and violate EU data protection rules. The controversial update, introduced in early 2024, aimed to prevent third-party AI services from using WhatsApp data to train their models, effectively blocking competitors from leveraging the vast volume of user communications on the platform. The Italian watchdog argued that such restrictions could stifle innovation and create an unfair advantage for Meta’s own AI services, particularly its integration of AI features into WhatsApp. Meta has responded by announcing it will appeal the decision, maintaining that the updated terms are necessary to protect user privacy and ensure the security of personal data. The company asserts that allowing external AI systems to access WhatsApp messages could expose users to risks such as data misuse, unauthorized profiling, and potential breaches. The Italian ruling is part of a broader regulatory scrutiny of Meta’s AI and data practices across Europe. Regulators in France, Germany, and Spain have also raised concerns about the company’s approach to data access and competition in the AI space. The European Commission has previously warned Meta against using its dominant position in messaging to unfairly advantage its own AI products. The outcome of the appeal could set a significant precedent for how AI companies access user data from major platforms. If upheld, the Italian order may force Meta to revise its terms in a way that allows more open access to data for third-party developers—potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in AI.