European Commission takes strict approach as regards non-compliance with EU merger rules
On 18 May 2017 the European Commission announced that it has imposed a €110 million fine on Facebook for providing misleading information in relation to its takeover of WhatsApp. On the same day the Commission issued a Statement of Objections to Altice, a Portuguese telecoms company, alleging that it had breached the ‘standstill’ obligation in the EU Merger Regulation by implementing its acquisition of PT Portugal prior to gaining the Commission’s approval. These cases highlight the Commission’s strict approach towards merger parties’ compliance with their procedural obligations under the EU merger rules.
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