Facebook Said to Seek EU Review for $19 Billion WhatsApp Bid

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Facebook Inc. is seeking European Union antitrust approval for its plan to buy WhatsApp Inc., according to a person familiar with the company’s plans.

Facebook requested the European Commission scrutinize the antitrust aspects of the $19 billion deal, said the person who asked not to be identified because the process isn’t public. If a company faces a merger review in three EU countries, it can ask the Brussels-based commission to handle the case.