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MANIFOLD
Will Meta sell/divest from WhatsApp before 2028?
6
Ṁ100Ṁ140
2028
16%
chance

Background

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Meta seeking to force the company to divest from WhatsApp and Instagram. The case is heading to trial after a court ruled the FTC presented sufficient evidence to warrant a full hearing. Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for approximately $19 billion and has integrated it into its family of apps.

Resolution Criteria

This market will resolve YES if:

  • Meta voluntarily sells or spins off WhatsApp into a separate company

  • Meta is forced by regulatory action to divest from WhatsApp

  • WhatsApp becomes a separate entity from Meta through any other means

The market will resolve NO if:

  • WhatsApp remains owned by Meta on January 1, 2028

  • Meta merges WhatsApp into another product while maintaining ownership

Considerations

  • Meta is actively fighting the FTC lawsuit and argues the acquisitions have benefited consumers

  • The company faces competition from other messaging and social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat

  • Even if the FTC wins its case, appeals could extend the timeline for any forced divestment

  • Meta has shown no indication of plans to voluntarily divest from WhatsApp

  • WhatsApp is increasingly important to Meta's business strategy and messaging focus

Market context
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It’s understandable that news about the FTC lawsuit against Meta might make some people think about alternatives to WhatsApp. However, shifting to WhatsApp Plus Orignal because of this situation is generally not recommended.

Here’s why:

  1. WhatsApp Plus is not an official app
    WhatsApp Plus is a modified (mod) version of WhatsApp created by third-party developers. It is not owned or supported by Meta and is not available on the Google Play Store.

  2. Security and privacy risks
    Because it is unofficial, WhatsApp Plus does not guarantee the same end-to-end encryption standards, security audits, or privacy protections that the official WhatsApp provides.

  3. Risk of account bans
    Meta has historically temporarily or permanently banned accounts that use modified versions like WhatsApp Plus or GBWhatsApp.

  4. The lawsuit doesn’t affect WhatsApp availability right now
    Even if the FTC wins the case, it would likely take years of legal processes and appeals before any change happens. WhatsApp will continue operating normally in the meantime.

  5. Better alternatives if you want independence from Meta
    If your goal is to move away from Meta-owned apps, safer options include:

    • Signal – strong privacy and open-source

    • Telegram – cloud-based messaging with large features

    • Viber – similar messaging ecosystem

Conclusion:
The FTC case may change ownership structures in the future, but it doesn’t require users to switch apps now. Using unofficial mods like WhatsApp Plus carries security and account risks, so if you want an alternative, it’s safer to choose official messaging platforms rather than modified versions.

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