Facebook prosecuted in South Africa for abusing its dominance

Meta is being prosecuted by South Africa's competition watchdog, over accusations that it tried to unfairly block local startups from using WhatsApp Business' APIs. — REUTERS/File Photo

Social media giant Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc., is facing prosecution in South Africa for unfairly trying to block local startups from using its WhatsApp Business Application Programming Interface (API), a government agency said Monday.

The Competition Commission said in a statement that it has referred Meta Platforms and its subsidiaries WhatsApp Inc and Facebook South Africa to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution for abusing its market dominance.