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First State joins lawsuit to break up Facebook

Facebook

Delaware’s Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced the First State is part of an antitrust suit filed against Facebook

The suit seeks to end what it claims is an illegal monopoly.

It was filed in Washington D.C. District Court and includes 47 states and 1 territory. Like many large companies, Facebook is incorporated in Delaware.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement Wednesday “Facebook knowingly, openly, and illegally made digital hostages of its users and developers over a decade of unfair acquisitions and mistreatment of developers.”

She claims Facebook illegally acquired competitors, stifled competition in their markets, and reduced privacy protections along the way.

The lawsuit asks judges to stop Facebook’s anti-competitive behavior.  It also seeks to force the company to inform states in the suit whenever it plans to acquire a company worth more than $10 million and potential divestiture or restructuring of the corporation.

The suit was filed alongside another from the Federal Trade Commision, which is pushing the company to divest from WhatsApp and Instagram.

The FTC and federal Department of Justice have been investigating Facebook, Apple and Google for their anti competitive behavior.

Roman Battaglia grew up in Portland, Ore, and now reports for Delaware Public Media as a Report For America corps member. He focuses on politics, elections and legislation activity at the local, county and state levels.
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