The only solution

Facebook and Google are among the two dominant technological companies which have been taking us for a spin, unbridled. And that too for decades now, disguised in the garb of giving us free access to their sites (“Facebook’s monopoly should be curbed,” Dec. 11, Gulf Today).

These entities are guilty of not only amassing millions of dollars through data mining, but for example, in the case of Facebook, it has used its monopoly power to crush smaller rivals and snuff out competition.

Joe Nocera has shown how Zuckerberg has been using his dominance to virtually pulverize any startup which he feels could threaten his hold on the tech market.

Antitrust suits are difficult to win in court, and it may take years of hard-fought litigation to decide. And yes, Facebook will argue — as it already has — that it won government approval of the deals fair and square. But governments need to unite and bring in adequate legislations that protect its citizens and people rather than let conglomerates hold them to ransom.

It’s heartening to know that the Federal Trade Commission and 48 attorneys general have filed dual antitrust suits designed to undo the merger of Facebook and Instagram — as well as Facebook’s takeover of WhatsApp.

It’s time to strike when the iron is hot. I go with the author that ‘breaking up Facebook isn’t just the right solution, it’s the only solution.”

Andre D’Souza
By email