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EU: Why Facebook wants EC to probe WhatsApp buy

By  |  May 28, 2014

Facebook has reportedly requested a full investigation into its proposed acquisition of messaging application WhatsApp by the European Commission, according to reports.

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    The social media giant wants the Commission to review the $19 billion merger in hopes of bypassing several investigations by national EU competition regulators. Reports say Facebook is concerned of state-level lobbying against the transaction.

    WhatsApp allows users to exchange unlimited texts for only $1 a year; that affordability poses a major threat to tradition text delivery services, reports say.

    Facebook’s WhatsApp deal is far from a done deal despite the US Federal Trade Commission having already approved of the merger last month. The FTC required Facebook to guarantee earns permission before sharing user information, however.

    Full content: Time.com

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