As predicted by information obtained by The Wall Street Journal, Facebook has just been sued by 46 out of 50 US states on charges of conducting anti-competitive practices. Only South Dakota, South Carolina, Alabama and Georgia refused to participate in the lawsuit.
With 48 attorneys general from 46 states, the case has been chaired by Letitia James, from New York, with support from prosecutors in California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee and the District of Columbia, in Washington DC, who claim that Facebook acquired competitors “illegally” and in a “predatory manner” to grow and maintain its market power.
The group wants the District Court of Columbia to restrict the social network from making new acquisitions worth $ 10 million or more, in addition to any other penalties it deems appropriate, including the dismissal and restructuring of companies that have been acquired illegally. through Facebook like, according to prosecutors, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Commenting on the action, Attorney Letitia James said that “almost every state in this nation [USA] has joined this bipartisan action because Facebook’s efforts to dominate the market have been illegal and harmful. Today’s action should send a clear message to Facebook and any other company that any effort to crack down on competition, reduce innovation, or eliminate private protections will face the full force of our offices. “
It is worth remembering that Google has also been facing similar action in the USA, but with its search engine as the main pivot of the discussions. In the view of prosecutors, the search giant would be stifling competing search engines in the market and on its own Android.