Facebook fined for misleading in WhatsApp purchase
By Joanie
@Freelanzer (10745)
Canada
May 20, 2017 3:37pm CST
Facebook has been fined $122 million for giving misleading information during a deal to purchase WhatsApp. According to the European Union anti trust regulators, Facebook said that they could not match Facebook accounts with WhatsApp user profiles when they were seeking approval for the purchase in 2014.
The deal was approved in part because of this misleading statement. However the EU found out that they did have the technology to do just that at the time of the purchase and just 2 years after the purchase Facebook launched a service that is able to automatically match Facebook users with their WhatsApp profiles.
Now Facebook has more of your information than previously. The question is what will they use that for? probably to share with advertisers. Facebook bought WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. I do wish there was a viable alternative to Facebook, I am nervous about companies that use our information to make more money. What are your thoughts?
10 people like this
9 responses
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
21 May 17
I wouldn't be that nervous. Facebook is a great way to keep in touch and I wouldn't change my experience here for anything. I hope that people don't have a bad experience with this issue.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
21 May 17
@Freelanzer .......I think it gives what it says it will.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
22 May 17
@celticeagle I realize there are die hard FB fans out there. I prefer the old fashioned human contact while keeping my privacy in tact
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
21 May 17
$122 million is probably like $1.22 to Facebook due to how much money they rake in on a daily basis, so I think they can afford to be liars and pay the fines. I agree with you, I wish there was a viable alternative to FB, other than other social media sites which are already owned by FB.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
20 May 17
Facebook can afford to be liars.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
21 May 17
@Freelanzer Yes I agree Freelanzer. I really am not a fan.
1 person likes this
@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
21 May 17
I have never had a Facebook account.
2 people like this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
21 May 17
Good for you. Just joined on a very small scale but had I known about the deal I wouldn't have.
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
21 May 17
Good to hear. I just thought I would try it now not sure
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10745)
• Canada
21 May 17
They do it anyway and when they are caught all they say is "it was an error" and they get away with it.
