The Vergecast The FTC is suing Facebook to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp
Dec 11, 2020
Adi Robertson, a senior reporter at The Verge, Russell Brandom, the policy editor, and Casey Newton, a contributing editor and author, delve into the FTC's bold lawsuit against Facebook regarding its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. They dissect the legal implications of antitrust scrutiny and the future of competition in tech. The discussion also touches on user experiences with intertwined messaging services, the growing public dissatisfaction with Facebook, and the broader impact of regulatory actions on the tech landscape.
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FTC Lawsuit Against Facebook
- The FTC is suing Facebook to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
- This legal action follows a lengthy investigation and marks a significant escalation in antitrust efforts.
Facebook's Defense
- Facebook's core defense argument revolves around the government's prior approval of the acquisitions.
- They claim it's unfair to challenge these deals now after years of operation.
Government's Core Argument
- The core argument against Facebook is that they acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate competition.
- Facebook allegedly chose acquisition over innovation to maintain its dominance.