Context
Meta (formerly Facebook) had ambitions in the streaming market with Facebook Watch. However, it recently ended all original programming and ceased operating as a video-streaming app. Court documents now raise questions about Meta's data-sharing practices with Netflix.
Key Update
Unsealed court documents from an antitrust lawsuit suggest that Meta provided Netflix with special access to Facebook users' private messages through exclusive APIs. Allegedly, this access was part of a lucrative business relationship in which Netflix's significant advertising spend influenced Meta's strategic decisions, including the shutdown of Facebook Watch. Despite Meta's denials, these claims highlight potential privacy concerns and the impact of corporate relationships on data handling and user privacy.
Technical Terms
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of tools and protocols for building software and applications, allowing different systems to communicate with each other.
Antitrust Suit
A legal case concerning practices that reduce competition in the marketplace.
