Antitrust case due against Facebook on acquisitions

The Post reported that some 40 US states were joining the effort alleging Facebook sought to squelch competition by acquiring the messaging applications – Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. — AFP

WASHINGTON DC: Antitrust enforcers from a number of US states were preparing to file a lawsuit against Facebook on Dec 9 alleging anticompetitive conduct in the social giant's acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp, a source familiar with the matter said.

An announcement was expected later in the day from New York State Attorney General Letitia James and her counterparts from other state antitrust enforcement agencies.