Meta to Implement Fees for AI Chatbots on WhatsApp in Italy
In a significant shift, Meta Platforms announced on Wednesday that it will begin charging developers for utilizing AI chatbots on WhatsApp in compliance with regional regulations. This policy change follows a January 15 ban on third-party chatbots, which has prompted the Italian competition authority to intervene.
Effective February 16, Meta will impose fees on developers in Italy, where the policy reversal was requested due to concerns over competition. Charges will be set at $0.0691/€0.0572/£0.0498 per non-template message sent by AI chatbots. This pricing could escalate operational costs for developers whose chatbots receive high volumes of user interactions daily.
Earlier in the month, Meta had signaled some leniency by allowing exemptions for Italian phone numbers, yet did not initially disclose plans to monetize this service. Currently, WhatsApp already bills businesses for template-based communications, which cover critical functions such as marketing notifications and shipping updates.
This initiative stems from concerns regarding system strain, as Meta previously stated that its infrastructure was not equipped to accommodate responses generated by AI chatbots. In October, the company determined that allowing third-party AI integration through its Business API would lead to complications, emphasizing that the route to market for such technology should lie outside the WhatsApp ecosystem.
Since the enforcement of this policy, developers are restricted to sending predefined messages that guide users to external platforms for AI interactions. Major providers like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Microsoft have announced their WhatsApp bots will be inactive post-January 15, redirecting users to alternative services.
Key Points:
– Meta to charge for AI chatbot messages on WhatsApp in Italy starting February 16.
– New fees aimed at complying with regulations prompted by Italy’s competition authority.
– Developers charged $0.0691/€0.0572/£0.0498 per non-template AI message.
– WhatsApp continues to charge for template response messages for businesses.
– Previous ban on third-party AI chatbots aimed at relieving stress on Meta’s systems.
