Casablanca — The EU accused Facebook on Tuesday of providing misleading information in the $22 billion buyout of WhatsApp.
Casablanca — The EU accused Facebook on Tuesday of providing misleading information in the $22 billion buyout of WhatsApp.
According to Agence France Presse (AFP), Facebook could owe the EU hundreds of millions of euros in fines for the alleged misstep — these fines would not affect the terms of the buyout, however.
“The European Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to Facebook alleging the company provided incorrect or misleading information during the Commission’s 2014 investigation” of the buyout, the EU said in a statement.
The misleading information in question is the claim that it would be technically impossible for Facebook to merge users between the two platforms. This August, the EU was surprised when WhatsApp announced it would share data with Facebook in an effort to fight spam and improve target advertising.
“We respect the Commission’s process and are confident that a full review of the facts will confirm Facebook has acted in good faith,” a Facebook spokesperson said in an email.
“We’ve consistently provided accurate information about our technical capabilities and plans, including in submissions about the WhatsApp acquisition and in voluntary briefings before WhatsApp’s privacy policy update this year,” the spokesperson added.
Facebook has until January 31, 2017 to respond to the charges.
