The United States launches investigation against Facebook for monopolistic practices

At least eight US states have launched an investigation against Facebook. Regulators seek to understand the behavior of the platform and determine whether they engage in monopolistic practices by abusing user data and advertising.

Lawmakers are concerned about the power that has been acquired by Google, which is already under investigation, Facebook, Amazon and Apple. The latter two are also in the sights of prosecutors, who will open investigations in due course.

Facebook acquired WhatsApp and Instagram as part of the elimination of potential competitions

A prosecutor wrote on Twitter that they sought to understand if Facebook provided data on its users, reduced the ability to choose and raised the prices of the ads, ensuring that any company must comply with the law, no matter how large it may be.

Although the investigation is just beginning, Facebook shares fell 2%. What these eight states want to achieve is the protection of free competition, reviewing whether the practices carried out by Facebook are legal or represent a monopoly practice.

Recently, Facebook was fined $5 billion for failing to protect its users' information and privacy. The information leak was exploited by Cambridge Analytica and the result was to influence the United States elections.

Another sanction was carried out on YouTube, for taking advantage of the data of minors who, without the consent of their parents, consumed the advertising on the platform and influenced the products they bought.

The monopolistic practice of Facebook was evidenced when they bought WhatsApp and Instagram. This allows them to cross-check information, keep all users connected frequently, and eliminate any potentially dangerous competition for your business.

These practices are not accepted by the US prosecution, which considers it a monopolistic practice and will be investigated by the states.