Italy takes action against Meta Platform

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Italy takes action against Meta Platform

MILAN Italy's antitrust authority said Friday that it had taken measures against Meta Platform over an alleged abuse of its position in the country in a probe involving the rights to music posted on the group's platforms.

Meta, the U.S. company that owns Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, failed to reach a deal with the Italian society of authors andéditeurs SIAE last month to renew copyright licences.

All songs under the books of SIAE have been blocked on its platforms since March 16.

The watchdog said Meta's conduct was harming competition in the market and ordered the tech giant to resume talks with SIAE.

Meta did not agree with the precautionary measures taken by Italian authorities, but it welcomes the opportunity to resume talks to find an agreement, a spokeswoman for Meta said.

We welcome the opportunity given to all parties involved to return to the negotiating table to reach a shared solution, she said.