EU fines Facebook 110 million euros for providing false information

The European Commission (EC) on May 18 announced a fine of 110 million euros ($120 million) for Facebook for providing misleading information when it acquired the messaging app WhatsApp in 2014.

The EC opened an investigation into Facebook for providing false information in 2016. Photo: Reuters

“Today’s decision sends a clear message to companies that they must comply with EU rules on mergers and acquisitions, including providing accurate information,” said Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s competition commissioner.

During the process of filing the WhatsApp acquisition dossier, Facebook informed the EC that the company could not automatically link Facebook user accounts with WhatsApp.

“However, in August 2016, WhatsApp announced an update to its service and privacy policy, including linking WhatsApp users' phone numbers and Facebook accounts,” according to the EC.

The EC imposed the fine after opening an investigation in 2016. However, the fine does not affect the EC's decision in October 2014, allowing Facebook to buy WhatsApp for $19 million.

According to TNO