Last month, the British Constable of Competition had inflicted a fine of 50.5 million pounds to the social networking giant as part of its merger with Giphy, specializing in short animations on the Internet.
Le Monde with AFP
The British Constitution of Competition (Competition and Markets Authority, CMA), ordered, Tuesday, November 30, to Facebook, recently renamed “Meta”, to sell its subsidiary Giphy because their merger “could harm the users of social networks and advertisers in the UK “, according to a statement.
Last month, the CMA had inflicted a fine of 50.5 million pounds (more than 59 million euros) at the giant of social networks as part of its merger with Giphy, specializing in short animations on the Internet Called Gifs, for continuing the integration of both companies despite an ongoing investigation. In August, the regulator had already warned that Facebook could have to sell Giphy.
He had already issued an injunction in June 2020 to stop the integration process between Facebook and Giphy, whose redemption was unveiled in May 2020 and estimated at $ 400 million. This acquisition allowed META to integrate in Instagram, its photo and video sharing service, the huge library of Giphy.
may favor Facebook in online advertising
“The CMA independent panel that examined the merger has concluded that Facebook could increase its already important market share compared to other social networks by limiting or preventing access from other platforms to Gifs “, while Facebook and its WhhatsApp and Instagramp subsidiaries” already have 73% of the time of use spent on social networks in the UK “, details the press release.
The CMA also feared that Meta does not change the access criteria to the animated images of Giphy by forcing its Tiktok, Twitter or Snapchat rivals “to share more user data”. This could also favor Facebook in online advertising, while the Internet giant already controls nearly half of this market in the United Kingdom, which reaches 7 billion pounds, says CMA.
The regulator concluded, despite Facebook’s proposals, that the risks for the competition generated by this merger can not be solved “only Facebook sells Giphy entirely to another approved buyer”.
meta “Disapproves of this decision”
META spokesperson stated that the group “disapproves of this decision” and considers its options, including appeal. “Consumers like Giphy are in a better position with the support of our infrastructure, our talents and our resources,” he says again.
The technology giant is targeted by many investigations and prosecution in terms of competition and risk presented by its platforms for young people, following revelations of a launcher. American alert on their dangerousness.
The member countries of the European Union also adopted Thursday a common position approving the draft European legislation to regulate the Web and put an end to the abuse of power of the giants of the digital.