this post was submitted on 06 Jul 2023
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I don't think so.
Meta has 2 billion active users on WhatsApp alone, plus Facebook/Instagram and now Threads. The entire fediverse has only 2 million active users - the fediverse is loose change for Meta.
Embrace Extend Extinguish was perfected by Microsoft, until they were smashed by antitrust regulators and narrowly avoided going bankrupt. Regulators are far more strict today and Meta knows that, note they haven't launched in the EU... The fact is Embrace Extend Extinguish would be far more likely to result in Meta being extinguished than the Fediverse. Give regulators half a chance and Threads/WhatsApp/Facebook/Instagram will suddenly be four companies, none of them owned/controlled by Meta.
I think it's more likely Meta expects that breakup to already be in the works - and they see the Fediverse as their protection. Look! Tens of thousands of social networks! And we have a healthy relationship with most of them!
I'm wondering if the main reason for this is because they are currently linking Threads accounts to Instgram?
I know for a while in Germany Meta did not sell their VR headsets because they required a Facebook account to work which was against a German law. Meta have since separated the requirement of a Facebook account to use VR headsets so are now no longer in breach of that law.
https://mixed-news.com/en/meta-is-now-selling-vr-headsets-in-germany-again/