While everything he says is true, he doesn't really answer the question of whether users and startups are better off when platforms purchase other competitive platforms. In other words, should Facebook have been allowed to buy Instagram and WhatsApp? Are we better off because of that?<p>I agree that the presence of these platforms is great. I also believe in the benefit of M&A in general. But allowing platforms to consolidate by buying their direct competitors is a bit of a different matter.