Facebook Wondered The New US Government Concerned About Acquisition Of WhatsApp

JAKARTA - A few days ago, Facebook was faced with protests from various parties because of the purchase of WhatsApp and Instagram instant messaging services by the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) and prosecutors from 46 states of the United States (US).

Reporting from CNBC International, Monday, December 14, and the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg responded with amazement, why the purchase is so questionable in the lawsuit.

Because, the purchase of both services has been going on for years. As is known, Facebook bought Instagram worth US $ 1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for US $ 19 billion in 2014.

"The acquisition is permitted and if you can buy a company, then 8 years on, 10 years on, the government can cancel it, it could be a big problem that scares American business, we will not be competitive in the world," said Sandberg.

According to reports circulating previously, the lawsuit filed by the FTC and prosecutors from 46 US states stated that Facebook was considered anti-competitive and was trying to buy rivals before becoming a giant.

Therefore, Facebook was asked to release or sell Instagram and WhatsApp. Interestingly, the FTC itself used to break the process of purchasing the two services that are currently the most widely used in the world.

On the other hand, Sandberg also denied that Facebook seemed a monopoly and had no competitors. According to him, there are several companies that have become tough competitors to Facebook.

"There are our services but there is also iMessage, there is TikTok, there is Snapchat, some of which have grown to become very big very quickly," said Sandberg.

Sandberg revealed, the service is very attractive to teenagers, thus making it very popular in various parts of the world.

"I myself can't persuade my kids to post on Instagram because they are very busy on Snapchat and TikTok," said Sandberg.

Previously preached, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also responded, that efforts to dissolve the company could be a threat and will fight it. Zuckerberg explained how much is at stake in the new lawsuits.

On the other hand, the government allowed Instagram and WhatsApp to be run again as separate companies from Facebook.