Meta considered blocking mobile messaging app ads because it was worried about competition – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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FTC v. Meta: the antitrust battle over Instagram and WhatsApp

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Lauren Feiner
Meta considered blocking rival messaging app ads.

In January 2013, Zuckerberg said he thought his team “should block WeChat, Kakao and Line ads. Those companies are trying to build social networks and replace us. The revenue is immaterial to us compared to any risk.” On the stand, he acknowledges that “we worried about them broadly competing with us” ahead of his purchase of WhatsApp.

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