Facebook is facing harsh antitrust scrutiny in Europe over its planning acquisition of leading smartphone messaging service WhatsApp as officials have reportedly sent questionnaires to Facebook rivals to inquire about the effects of such a takeover.
The European Commission is in the midst of an investigation of the $19 billion merger. News outlets have obtained a copy of the questionnaire that shows plans by the Commission to examine “what separates a social network from a messaging application,” the Wall Street Journal said.
Reports say the questionnaire was likely sent to telcos, social networking companies and Internet service providers.
Facebook first filed a formal notification for the acquisition of WhatsApp to the Commission on August 29. Reports say the filing is part of Facebook’s efforts to avoid potentially lengthy antitrust proves in several EU nations simultaneously.
Full content: Wall Street Journal
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Judge Dismisses Antitrust Lawsuit Against Ivy League Over Athletic Scholarships
Oct 11, 2024 by
CPI
FTC and DOJ Revamp Merger Guidelines to Identify Illegal Transactions More Efficiently
Oct 11, 2024 by
CPI
US Consumer Watchdog Eyes Expansion of ‘Junk Fee’ Crackdown Ahead of 2024 Election
Oct 10, 2024 by
CPI
Brazil Proposes Reform to Competition Law Targeting Big Tech
Oct 10, 2024 by
CPI
Meta Enhances User Data Control, Resolving German Antitrust Dispute
Oct 10, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Refusal to Deal
Sep 27, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust’s Refusal-to-Deal Doctrine: The Emperor Has No Clothes
Sep 27, 2024 by
Erik Hovenkamp
Why All Antitrust Claims are Refusal to Deal Claims and What that Means for Policy
Sep 27, 2024 by
Ramsi Woodcock
The Aspen Misadventure
Sep 27, 2024 by
Roger Blair & Holly P. Stidham
Refusal to Deal in Antitrust Law: Evolving Jurisprudence and Business Justifications in the Align Technology Case
Sep 27, 2024 by
Timothy Hsieh