Facebook’s Meta may face potential sale of Instagram and WhatsApp in the US.

When Donald Trump took office, many changes occurred within some of the world’s largest tech companies. Names like Meta and Google started aligning more with the current president’s ideas, partly to get closer to him. In fact, just recently, Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that his platform had to censor certain content during Joe Biden’s presidency. Since then, the platform’s policies seem to have shifted towards prioritizing freedom of expression.

However, despite Zuckerberg’s attempts to please the US president, recent reports suggest that it may not be enough to prevent some problems for the company. According to the Wall Street Journal, Meta could potentially face issues arising from an investigation into its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. In December 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated an investigation into possible irregularities surrounding Meta’s purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. The focus is on how the company may have acquired these entities and whether it abused its market position to “neutralize” competitors at the time.

Documents revealed by authorities indicate that Zuckerberg was reportedly concerned about Instagram’s growth and suggested acquiring the platform in internal emails to “solve the problem.” At the same time, questions were raised about the increasing popularity of communication platforms, particularly in markets like China where apps like WeChat were practically indispensable. This may have influenced the decision to acquire WhatsApp two years later.

If the investigation proves some of Meta’s practices, the company could be forced to divest its holdings in Instagram and WhatsApp, essentially separating the two platforms from Facebook and Meta. This move could have a significant impact on the entire platform, with unforeseen consequences for their future.

It’s worth noting that Google is facing a similar situation with Google Chrome and may also be required to divest its stake in the browser due to alleged market abuses.

The potential repercussions of these investigations are significant. Dividing Instagram and WhatsApp from Meta and Facebook could shake up the entire platform, and the future implications are still uncertain.

It’s fascinating to see how the political landscape can influence the tech industry. The intertwining of politics and technology raises important questions about power, competition, and the role of these companies in our lives. As consumers, we should stay informed and engaged in these discussions to ensure a fair and competitive digital environment.

Background Information

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