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EU: Facebook rivals asked for input over WhatsApp buyout

By  |  September 1, 2014

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

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