In a landmark decision, Brazil's competition authority, CADE, has taken a decisive step against Meta by mandating the suspension of its policy that prohibits third-party AI chatbots from operating on WhatsApp. According to the assessment of specialists presented in the publication, this move highlights growing concerns over competition and platform control in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Investigation Initiated by CADE
On February 15, 2025, CADE initiated a formal investigation into Meta's practices, questioning whether the company's restrictions on third-party chatbots amount to anticompetitive behavior. The authority's actions reflect a broader trend, as similar regulatory measures have been observed in the European Union and Italy, suggesting a unified global effort to address potential monopolistic practices in the tech industry.
Implications for the AI Sector
The investigation aims to determine if Meta's policy unfairly favors its own AI chatbot, raising significant implications for the future of competition in the AI sector. As regulators worldwide scrutinize the influence of major tech companies, this case could set a precedent for how digital platforms manage third-party integrations and competition.
Following Brazil's regulatory actions against Meta, Malaysia and Indonesia have taken a significant step by blocking access to Grok, an AI chatbot linked to concerns over explicit content. For more details, see more.
