Meta, more colloquially known as Facebook has been ordered by the UK&nbsp;antitrust watchdog&nbsp;Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to sell GIPHY Inc. This is the second instance when Meta has been ordered to sell the popular gif library.&nbsp;

Meta conceded the defeat and said it was disappointed by the decision.&nbsp;

“We are disappointed by the CMA’s decision but accept today’s ruling as the final word on the matter.&nbsp;We are grateful to the Giphy team during this uncertain time for their business, and wish them every success,” said a Meta spokesperson.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry into the buyout said,&nbsp;“This deal would significantly reduce competition in two markets. It has already resulted in the removal of a potential challenger in the UK display ad market, while also giving Meta the ability to further increase its substantial market power in social media."

“The only way this can be addressed is by the sale of Giphy. This will promote innovation in digital advertising, and also ensure UK social media users continue to benefit from access to Giphy.”

As reported by WION, the watchdog, in November last year issued the first order to Meta citing the deal could harm the competitors. Reportedly, Meta bought GIPHY in 2020 for an estimated $400 million to integrate it with its other platforms viz. Instagram and WhatsApp.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-owner-meta-asked-to-sell-giphy-by-british-regulator-432991">Read more:&nbsp;Facebook-owner Meta asked to sell Giphy by British regulator</a>

However, CMA feared that the deal could limit other social media platforms' access to GIFs, which, in turn, would have made those sites less attractive to users.&nbsp;

"Without action, it will also allow Facebook to increase its significant market power in social media even further, through controlling competitors' access to Giphy GIFs," said Stuart McIntosh, who headed an inquiry into the buyout.&nbsp;

However, after the order, Meta decided to appeal the decision and went to&nbsp;Competition Appeal Tribunal in January, earlier this year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/meta-appeals-british-regulators-ruling-that-asked-facebook-to-sell-giphy-442512">Read more:&nbsp;Meta appeals British regulator's ruling that asked Facebook to sell Giphy</a>

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
WATCH&nbsp;WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Meta, more colloquially known as Facebook has been ordered by the UK antitrust watchdog Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to sell GIPHY Inc. This is the second instance when Meta has been ordered to sell the popular gif library.

Meta, more colloquially known as Facebook has been ordered by the UK antitrust watchdog Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to sell GIPHY Inc. This is the second instance when Meta has been ordered to sell the popular gif library. Meta conceded the defeat and said it was disappointed by the decision. “We are disappointed by the CMA’s decision but accept today’s ruling as the final word on the matter. We are grateful to the Giphy team during this uncertain time for their business, and wish them every success,” said a Meta spokesperson. Meanwhile, Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry into the buyout said, “This deal would significantly reduce competition in two markets. It has already resulted in the removal of a potential challenger in the UK display ad market, while also giving Meta the ability to further increase its substantial market power in social media." “The only way this can be addressed is by the sale of Giphy. This will promote innovation in digital advertising, and also ensure UK social media users continue to benefit from access to Giphy.” As reported by WION, the watchdog, in November last year issued the first order to Meta citing the deal could harm the competitors. Reportedly, Meta bought GIPHY in 2020 for an estimated $400 million to integrate it with its other platforms viz. Instagram and WhatsApp. Read more: Facebook-owner Meta asked to sell Giphy by British regulator However, CMA feared that the deal could limit other social media platforms' access to GIFs, which, in turn, would have made those sites less attractive to users. "Without action, it will also allow Facebook to increase its significant market power in social media even further, through controlling competitors' access to Giphy GIFs," said Stuart McIntosh, who headed an inquiry into the buyout. However, after the order, Meta decided to appeal the decision and went to Competition Appeal Tribunal in January, earlier this year. Read more: Meta appeals British regulator's ruling that asked Facebook to sell Giphy (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Meta ordered to sell GIPHY for the second time by UK antitrust watchdog

Facebook owner Meta has applied for an opportunity to appeal a British regulator's ruling that Meta should sell Giphy, a popular animated images platform.

Competition Appeal Tribunal said on Wednesday that Meta had lodged an application for review on December. Meta has challenged Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) ruling on six grounds.

The CMA had delivered the ruling on Giphy in November last year. The watchdog had said that Meta's acquisition &nbsp;of the animated graphics startup would hit competition and advertising.

Stuart McIntosh, who headed an inquiry into the buyout, said action was required because the tie-up had already affected competition in the display advertising market.

"Without action, it will also allow Facebook to increase its significant market power in social media even further, through controlling competitors' access to Giphy GIFs," he added.

"By requiring Facebook to sell Giphy we are protecting millions of social media users and promoting competition and innovation in digital advertising."

Meta, which announced the purchase of Giphy for a reported $400 million in May 2020, had said it disagreed with the ruling.

The CMA said the merger would allow Facebook to increase its significant market power by denying or limiting other platforms' access to Giphy GIFs.

It would also deny or limit other social media sites' access to Giphy GIFs, driving more traffic to Facebook-owned sites such as WhatsApp and Instagram, which account for 73 percent of social media user time in Britain.

(With inputs from agencies)

Facebook owner Meta has applied for an opportunity to appeal a British regulator's ruling that Meta should sell Giphy, a popular animated images platform. Competition Appeal Tribunal said on Wednesday that Meta had lodged an application for review on December.

Facebook owner Meta has applied for an opportunity to appeal a British regulator's ruling that Meta should sell Giphy, a popular animated images platform. Competition Appeal Tribunal said on Wednesday that Meta had lodged an application for review on December. Meta has challenged Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) ruling on six grounds. The CMA had delivered the ruling on Giphy in November last year. The watchdog had said that Meta's acquisition of the animated graphics startup would hit competition and advertising. Stuart McIntosh, who headed an inquiry into the buyout, said action was required because the tie-up had already affected competition in the display advertising market. "Without action, it will also allow Facebook to increase its significant market power in social media even further, through controlling competitors' access to Giphy GIFs," he added. "By requiring Facebook to sell Giphy we are protecting millions of social media users and promoting competition and innovation in digital advertising." Meta, which announced the purchase of Giphy for a reported $400 million in May 2020, had said it disagreed with the ruling. The CMA said the merger would allow Facebook to increase its significant market power by denying or limiting other platforms' access to Giphy GIFs. It would also deny or limit other social media sites' access to Giphy GIFs, driving more traffic to Facebook-owned sites such as WhatsApp and Instagram, which account for 73 percent of social media user time in Britain. (With inputs from agencies)

Meta appeals British regulator's ruling that asked Facebook to sell Giphy

Britain's competition regulator on Tuesday said that it has directed Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, to sell gif platform Giphy. The regulator said that the deal may harm social media users and advertisers in UK.

Meta has been quoted by Reuters as saying that it disagrees with the decision.

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the regulator, said that Facebook's acquisition of Giphy would lead to lessened competition between social media platforms. The watchdog said that the deal between Meta and Giphy had already removed the latter as a competitor from&nbsp;the market.

A panel of the Competition and Markets Authority also found that Facebook will be able to further expand its already significant power in social media market with acquisition iof Giphy. This, observed the panel, may be done by blocking or limiting other social media networks' access to Giphy's gif images.

This may in turn, increase traffic to Facebook and its platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp offering more advantage to Meta in the market.

“We disagree with this decision,” A Meta spokesperson said, according to Reuters. “We are reviewing the decision and considering all options, including appeal.”

In August this year, CMA had provisionally found that acquisition of Giphy would offer undue advantage to Facebook. At that time, the watchdog had even said that Facebook may have to unwind the deal.

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's competition regulator on Tuesday said that it has directed Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, to sell gif platform Giphy. The regulator said that the deal may harm social media users and advertisers in UK.

Britain's competition regulator on Tuesday said that it has directed Meta Platforms, which owns Facebook, to sell gif platform Giphy. The regulator said that the deal may harm social media users and advertisers in UK. Meta has been quoted by Reuters as saying that it disagrees with the decision. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the regulator, said that Facebook's acquisition of Giphy would lead to lessened competition between social media platforms. The watchdog said that the deal between Meta and Giphy had already removed the latter as a competitor from the market. A panel of the Competition and Markets Authority also found that Facebook will be able to further expand its already significant power in social media market with acquisition iof Giphy. This, observed the panel, may be done by blocking or limiting other social media networks' access to Giphy's gif images. This may in turn, increase traffic to Facebook and its platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp offering more advantage to Meta in the market. “We disagree with this decision,” A Meta spokesperson said, according to Reuters. “We are reviewing the decision and considering all options, including appeal.” In August this year, CMA had provisionally found that acquisition of Giphy would offer undue advantage to Facebook. At that time, the watchdog had even said that Facebook may have to unwind the deal. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook-owner Meta asked to sell Giphy by British regulator 

Facebook is once again in trouble as the social media platform has been fined £50.5 million ($69.6 million) for failing to follow the set rules during the purchase of GIF platform Giphy.<o:p></o:p>

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Facebook as it believes that the company purposely failed to comply with the orders given by the regulator.<o:p></o:p>

CMA has imposed this huge monetary fine on the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company to set an example that no company is greater than the law.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/facebook-planning-to-change-its-name-announcement-likely-in-a-week-report-422190">Facebook planning to change its name, announcement likely in a week: Report</a></o:p>

As per CMA, Facebook has failed to give full updates regarding the company’s compliance with requirements of continuing to compete with Giphy, instead of integrating its operation. The regulator claims that even though they sent repeated warnings to Facebook, the company failed to provide all relevant information.<o:p></o:p>

This, the company believes, is a deliberate non-compliance with the regulations set by the regulator. "We warned Facebook that its refusal to provide us with important information was a breach of the order but, even after losing its appeal in two separate courts, Facebook continued to disregard its legal obligations," said Joel Bamford, senior director of mergers at the CMA. "This should serve as a warning to any company that thinks it is above the law."

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/facebooks-topic-suggestion-labels-black-mens-videos-as-primates-410668">Facebook's topic suggestion labels Black men's videos as 'primates'</a></o:p>

However, Facebook has rubbished these claims by the CMA and have said that they strongly disagree with these allegations. Calling it ‘unfair’, the social media platform said they will soon review the decision and penalty and then consider other options.<o:p></o:p>

"We strongly disagree with the CMA's unfair decision to punish Facebook for a best effort compliance approach, which the CMA itself ultimately approved, " Facebook said. "We will review the CMA’s decision and consider our options."<o:p></o:p>

This has also come at a time when several reports have claimed that Facebook is planning to rebrand with the hope of another parent company overseeing its brands.<o:p></o:p>

Facebook is once again in trouble as the social media platform has been fined £50.5 million ($69.6 million) for failing to follow the set rules during the purchase of GIF platform Giphy.

Facebook is once again in trouble as the social media platform has been fined £50.5 million ($69.6 million) for failing to follow the set rules during the purchase of GIF platform Giphy. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has fined Facebook as it believes that the company purposely failed to comply with the orders given by the regulator. CMA has imposed this huge monetary fine on the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company to set an example that no company is greater than the law. Also read | Facebook planning to change its name, announcement likely in a week: Report As per CMA, Facebook has failed to give full updates regarding the company’s compliance with requirements of continuing to compete with Giphy, instead of integrating its operation. The regulator claims that even though they sent repeated warnings to Facebook, the company failed to provide all relevant information. This, the company believes, is a deliberate non-compliance with the regulations set by the regulator. "We warned Facebook that its refusal to provide us with important information was a breach of the order but, even after losing its appeal in two separate courts, Facebook continued to disregard its legal obligations," said Joel Bamford, senior director of mergers at the CMA. "This should serve as a warning to any company that thinks it is above the law." Also read | Facebook's topic suggestion labels Black men's videos as 'primates' However, Facebook has rubbished these claims by the CMA and have said that they strongly disagree with these allegations. Calling it ‘unfair’, the social media platform said they will soon review the decision and penalty and then consider other options. "We strongly disagree with the CMA's unfair decision to punish Facebook for a best effort compliance approach, which the CMA itself ultimately approved, " Facebook said. "We will review the CMA’s decision and consider our options." This has also come at a time when several reports have claimed that Facebook is planning to rebrand with the hope of another parent company overseeing its brands.

Facebook fined $69.6 million by UK regulator for breaching order in Giphy deal

Facebook's acquisition of popular GIF website Giphy is being scrutinised by Britain's competition watchdog for possibly reducing competition in the United Kingdom.

The parent of messaging app WhatsApp bought Giphy, a popular website for making and sharing animated images, or GIFs, in May to integrate it with its rapidly growing photo-sharing app, Instagram.

While a formal probe is yet to begin, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this week served Facebook with an initial enforcement order and on Friday began the first stage of an investigation, inviting comments on the transaction from any interested party.&nbsp;

Facebook, the world's largest social media network, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Giphy sought to quell some of the concerns in a statement. "Everyone will continue to have the same access to GIPHY. We look forward to demonstrating how this partnership is a win for our users, partners, and content creators," it said.

According to Facebook, 50% of Giphy's traffic comes from Facebook's apps, with half of that coming from Instagram.

The deal, pegged at around $400 million by news website Axios, came through as Facebook was already under scrutiny over antitrust concerns, and the company is now taking fire for its decision to not challenge inflammatory posts by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Some advocacy groups had already raised concerns when the deal was announced and Facebook had then said that Giphy's integrations with other social platforms like Twitter, Snapchat and ByteDance's TikTok would not change.

The American Economic Liberties Project, an antitrust advocacy group, had said that Facebook and Google are monopolizing online communications through such deals, while urging the Federal Trade Commission to probe the deal.

Alphabet Inc's Google had acquired GIF platform Tenor in 2018 and integrated it into its image search function.

 
&nbsp;

Facebook's acquisition of popular GIF website Giphy is being scrutinised by Britain's competition watchdog for possibly reducing competition in the United Kingdom.

Facebook's acquisition of popular GIF website Giphy is being scrutinised by Britain's competition watchdog for possibly reducing competition in the United Kingdom. The parent of messaging app WhatsApp bought Giphy, a popular website for making and sharing animated images, or GIFs, in May to integrate it with its rapidly growing photo-sharing app, Instagram. While a formal probe is yet to begin, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this week served Facebook with an initial enforcement order and on Friday began the first stage of an investigation, inviting comments on the transaction from any interested party. Facebook, the world's largest social media network, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Giphy sought to quell some of the concerns in a statement. "Everyone will continue to have the same access to GIPHY. We look forward to demonstrating how this partnership is a win for our users, partners, and content creators," it said. According to Facebook, 50% of Giphy's traffic comes from Facebook's apps, with half of that coming from Instagram. The deal, pegged at around $400 million by news website Axios, came through as Facebook was already under scrutiny over antitrust concerns, and the company is now taking fire for its decision to not challenge inflammatory posts by U.S. President Donald Trump. Some advocacy groups had already raised concerns when the deal was announced and Facebook had then said that Giphy's integrations with other social platforms like Twitter, Snapchat and ByteDance's TikTok would not change. The American Economic Liberties Project, an antitrust advocacy group, had said that Facebook and Google are monopolizing online communications through such deals, while urging the Federal Trade Commission to probe the deal. Alphabet Inc's Google had acquired GIF platform Tenor in 2018 and integrated it into its image search function.

Facebook's Giphy deal draws UK competition watchdog's attention

Now, Instagram users will be able to search GIFS and add them as stickers to their &#39;Insta Stories&#39;

The social media platform has rolled out a new feature wherein users will also get a GIF option when they try to add stickers to their Instagram &#39;stories&#39;.&nbsp;

The Facebook-owned app will also let users upload videos and pictures irrespective of their size. Instagram will provide gifs powered by GIPHY.&nbsp;

The GIF feature will be available on Instagram version 29 for iOS and Android devices.

 
&nbsp;

The Facebook-owned app will also let users upload videos and pictures irrespective of their size

Now, Instagram users will be able to search GIFS and add them as stickers to their 'Insta Stories' The social media platform has rolled out a new feature wherein users will also get a GIF option when they try to add stickers to their Instagram 'stories'. The Facebook-owned app will also let users upload videos and pictures irrespective of their size. Instagram will provide gifs powered by GIPHY. The GIF feature will be available on Instagram version 29 for iOS and Android devices.

Instagram rolls out GIF option for 'Insta Stories'

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