Brazil investigates Meta for unfair competition in WhatsApp due to the use of Artificial Intelligence

In this sense and as a preventive measure, the Administrative Council of Economic Defense (Cade) ordered the “immediate suspension of the new terms of use of WhatsApp Business”, which would come into force on January 15, until all indications of infringement are evaluated.

According to a statement released by Cade, the investigation looks at contractual changes introduced by Meta in October 2025 that, apparently, restricted the access of external providers of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to the WhatsApp platform, while keeping its own (Meta AI) operational.

According to complaints from the companies Factoría Elcano and Brainlogic AI, Cade analyzes whether the modifications could lead to “closing markets, excluding competitors and unduly favoring the company’s product.”

For the antitrust body, the total prohibition of third parties, combined with the permanence of Meta AI, appears to be disproportionate and with the potential to constitute a violation of the economic order.

The preventive decision seeks to preserve the current conditions of competition and guarantee the effectiveness of the investigation.

In a note, Meta maintained that the modifications in the terms and conditions of WhatsApp Business would not be capable of causing serious or irreparable damage to competition in the chatbot market, considering that these services “will continue to compete intensely, using the numerous alternatives available to reach users.”

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