Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Science
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Science News / Will Facebook be forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp?
  • Science

    Will Facebook be forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp?

    Shalini Ojha
    Written by
    Shalini Ojha
    Twitter
    Last updated on Dec 11, 2020, 01:55 am
    Will Facebook be forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp?
  • The Federal Trade Commission and over 40 states in the United States on Wednesday accused social media giant Facebook of crushing competition by buying other companies.

    48 Attorneys General, from 46 states, the territory of Guam, and the District of Columbia have filed an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook.

    Only South Dakota, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia chose to stay out of it.

    Here's what happened.

  • In this article
    Facebook's deals with WhatsApp and Instagram were flagged FTC wants to roll back Facebook's "anticompetitive conduct" Facebook, and every other company, should get message: James The lawsuits mark second biggest regulatory effort against tech giants Meanwhile, Facebook slammed the lawsuits, reminded deals profited WhatsApp, Instagram Zuckerberg said the company is prepared to fight in court
  • Past purchases

    Facebook's deals with WhatsApp and Instagram were flagged

    Facebook's deals with WhatsApp and Instagram were flagged
  • In two separate lawsuits, Facebook's past acquisitions were brought up. It was alleged that the company purchased competitors "illegally" and in a "predatory manner."

    The company's purchase of Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp's acquisition for $19 billion in 2014 were particularly flagged.

    Going a step further, FTC said the WhatsApp and Instagram deals must be unwound.

  • Statement

    FTC wants to roll back Facebook's "anticompetitive conduct"

    FTC wants to roll back Facebook's "anticompetitive conduct"
  • Ian Conner, director of FTC's Bureau of Competition, was blunt about the intentions.

    "Our aim is to roll back Facebook's anticompetitive conduct and restore competition so that innovation and free competition can thrive," he said in a statement.

    New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading the coalition of attorneys general. They started investigating Facebook's dealings in 2019 and were joined by FTC later.

  • Details

    Facebook, and every other company, should get message: James

  • James seemed satisfied with the support the lawsuit garnered.

    "Today's suit should send a clear message to Facebook and every other company that any efforts to stifle competition, reduce innovation, or cut privacy protections will be met with the full force of our offices," she said.

    The twin lawsuits qualify as the biggest regulatory attack against Facebook, since it was founded in 2004.

  • Looking back

    The lawsuits mark second biggest regulatory effort against tech giants

    The lawsuits mark second biggest regulatory effort against tech giants
  • James accused Facebook of using "vast amounts of money" to buy companies that had the potential of threatening its dominance in the market.

    All Facebook wanted to do was "squeeze every bit of oxygen out of the room," she said.

    In October, Google was served with a lawsuit by the Department of Justice. It was accused of monopolizing the search and online ad markets.

  • Response

    Meanwhile, Facebook slammed the lawsuits, reminded deals profited WhatsApp, Instagram

  • Facebook, naturally upset with the lawsuits, said antitrust laws weren't meant to "punish successful companies."

    The company's General Counsel Jennifer Newstead dubbed the lawsuits "revisionist history," reminding that both WhatsApp and Instagram have also tasted success after Facebook invested money.

    "The government now wants a do-over, sending a chilling warning to American business that no sale is ever final," Newstead said.

  • Zuckerberg's take

    Zuckerberg said the company is prepared to fight in court

    Zuckerberg said the company is prepared to fight in court
  • Founder Mark Zuckerberg also spoke to employees.

    "Overall, we disagree with the government's allegations. The reality is that we compete with many other services in everything we do, and we compete fairly," he said, according to CNET.

    If the courts rule in favor of the states, Facebook will be restricted from making acquisitions valued at or above $10 million without telling, the plaintiff states.

  • Facebook
  • Mark Zuckerberg
  • Google
  • United States
  •  
Latest News
  • NewsBytes Briefing: Investigation uncovers Facebook's pro ISIS move, and more
    NewsBytes Briefing: Investigation uncovers Facebook's pro ISIS move, and more
    Science
  • PUBG: New State announced for iOS, Android; Unavailable in India
    PUBG: New State announced for iOS, Android; Unavailable in India
    Science
  • Indian versions of 'Suits', 'House', 'Monk', 'SNL' are being planned
    Indian versions of 'Suits', 'House', 'Monk', 'SNL' are being planned
    Entertainment
  • Google integrates lightweight HTML5 games into Chrome browser on Android
    Google integrates lightweight HTML5 games into Chrome browser on Android
    Science
  • Sony announces next-generation PSVR headset for the PlayStation 5
    Sony announces next-generation PSVR headset for the PlayStation 5
    Science
Related Timelines
  • After WhatsApp, Facebook brings disappearing messages to Messenger and Instagram
    After WhatsApp, Facebook brings disappearing messages to Messenger and Instagram
    Science
  • Now, you can message your friend on Facebook via Instagram
    Now, you can message your friend on Facebook via Instagram
    Science
  • Soon, government could ask Facebook/Twitter to reveal anyone's identity
    Soon, government could ask Facebook/Twitter to reveal anyone's identity
    Science
Trending Topics
Samsung Facebook Amazon OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Latest Gadget Launch MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ COVAXIN Latest Tech News Upcoming Mobile Phones
Next News Article
Share
Cancel

Want to share it with your friends too?

Facebook Whatsapp Twitter Linkedin
Copied

Love Science news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Science Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Science News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Bharti Airtel Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League Samsung Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma
Cricket News Narendra Modi Facebook YouTube Hollywood News WhatsApp Bollywood News ISRO Rahul Gandhi Yoga
Honda Batman Football News BMW Vaccine Reliance Jio OPPO Amazon Food News, Healthy Recipes Royal Challengers Bangalore
Toyota Fashion Tips Farmers Protest Mercedes Isha Ambani India Vs England Cricket OnePlus Mobiles Android TV Smart TV Marvel Comics
Avengers Neha Kakkar Premier League Big Bang Theory
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us News Reviews News Archive Topics Archive Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2021