WhatsApp

Nov. 18 (UPI) — Facebook owner Meta can keep the WhatsApp mobile messaging app and the Instagram social media site in a federal trial first brought by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020.

Washington D.C.-based Judge James Boasberg ruled Tuesday that the FTC did not prove its claim that Meta has maintained a monopoly on social media platforms, CNBC reported.

“Whether or not Meta enjoyed monopoly power in the past, though, the agency must show that it continues to hold such power now,” Boasberg wrote.

“The court’s verdict today determines that the FTC has not done so,” he added.

Meta officials said in a statement to NPR that Boasberg’s ruling affirms that social media remains competitive.

Boasberg in 2021 dismissed the case citing a lack of evidence that Facebook held “market power” over social media.

The FTC amended and refiled its complaint in August 2021, providing more detail on user data and comparisons to competitors, including Snapchat, the discontinued Google+ social network and Myspace.

The FTC also argued Meta engaged in a “buy or bury” strategy to monopolize social media when it paid more than market value to buy Instagram in 2012 and when it bought WhatsApp in 2014, according to NPR.

The only way to resolve the alleged monopoly was to require Meta to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp as independent companies, the FTC argued.

The social media marketplace has changed greatly over the past five years since the federal agency first accused Meta of monopolizing social media, Boasberg wrote.

“While it once might have made sense to partition apps into separate markets of social networking and social media, that wall has since broken down,” Boasberg wrote.

He cited the rise of TikTok and called it “Meta’s fiercest rival,” which he called evidence of a competitive social media marketplace.

During the trial that concluded in May, Meta’s legal team argued it faced plenty of competition and only bought WhatsApp and Instagram because they are quality products that were easier to buy instead of replicating.

During the trial, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified that buying Instagram was easier than creating a new product that would compete with it.

Ditching the gloomy UK for the blue skies of Dubai is an appealing thought to alot of us. But there are strict rules locals and visitors must abide by, or risk being imprisoned

Now more than ever, Brits are looking to ditch the grey skies for a more desirable lifestyle under the year-round sunshine of Dubai.

The hugely popular city in the United Arab Emirates offers tax-free income, appealing career opportunities with higher earning potentials and low crime rates within a modern infrastructure. Its appeal is only enhanced by its luxury shopping complexes, golden sand beaches, impressive architecture and its yearly warm weather.

Despite welcoming more than 15 million tourists every year, it still holds some strict laws and traditions that visitors and locals must follow. One of which is an easily mistaken crime that could land you in prison, according to a Brit who lives there.

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Janelle Ciara discovered this stern custom after uprooting her life from the gloomy UK to sunny Dubai. The Brit originally thought she’d only be living in the emirate for a month, but after quickly adjusting to life in the lavish city, she extended her stay and is currently in the process of getting a visa.

Navigating her new way of life in Dubai, Janelle learnt that swearing or using rude gestures, even on social media, could get her in serious trouble. In a video on TikTok (@janelleciara1), she revealed: “There are some people that have actually been fined for even sharing rude or swearing messages across WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms.”

On the Gov.uk website for the United Arab Emirates, it states: “It is illegal to swear and make rude gestures, including online, as they are considered obscene acts. You could be jailed or deported. Take particular care when dealing with the police and other officials.”

Janelle’s video accumulated 2.6 million views as she went on to detail a list of other crimes that “will send an English person into a coma”. Another is the consumption of alcohol and being drunk in public.

While drinking alcohol is no longer a criminal offence in Dubai, and a licence fee is no longer required for residents or tourists, you cannot drink in public places. Janelle explained: “Drinking or being drunk is not allowed in public areas. You’re only allowed to drink in licensed venues – that can be bars, restaurants and hotels. But if you are drunk in public, you can be fined and even put into prison.”

In addition to this, PDA (Public Displays of Affection) is also frowned upon. “You can get in a lot of trouble for this,” Janelle said. In 2010, a British couple were arrested after allegedly sharing a kiss on the mouth at a restaurant, with locals dubbing it a violation of the country’s decency laws.

Ayman Najafi, 24, and Charlotte Adams, 25, appealed their conviction and stated it was simply a peck on the cheek. However, the pair lost their appeal and were sentenced to a month in jail before being deported. “Showing affection in public is frowned upon. You can be arrested for kissing in public,” the Gov.uk website states.

There are also strict rules when it comes to same-sex relationships in the Emirates. Janelle revealed: “Penalties for same-sex relationships could be deportation or imprisonment.”

The Gov.uk website also states: “Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the UAE, and same-sex marriages are not recognised. “

Dressing modestly is a custom that is strongly advised and followed by locals and visitors, especially when out in public, as it’s an Islamic country. However, there’s no official dress code, and it’s typically alot more relaxed when staying at a hotel.

The Brit shared in the video: “You can’t be nude in public and it is advised that when you’re in public spaces to cover up and dress modestly. If you are leaving the beach, make sure you cover up afterwards.”

On the dress code, the Gov.uk website states: “Dress modestly in public areas like shopping malls:

• Women should cover shoulders and knees, and underwear should not be visible
• Avoid transparent clothing or any attire that features imagery or phrases that could potentially offend others
• Swimming attire should only be worn on beaches or at swimming pools
• Cross-dressing is illegal

“Some venues, events or buildings may have specific dress codes.”