Facebook is reportedly planning to merge Instagram and WhatsApp, two of the most popular social media platforms today. However, industry experts say this project could have a huge impact on the ongoing crackdown on tech firms for possible antitrust violations.

On Monday, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Joseph Simons warned of the difficulties that authorities will face if Facebook pushes through with the plan. A crackdown on the social media giant's business practices is on the table. However, it could be more difficult to carry out the investigations if the merge takes place, Simons said.

The "Big Tech" crackdown by the FTC is largely supported by the White House under U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Simons believes that "separate business structures" will make it easier for authorities to have a closer look at the company's practices.

If Facebook succeeds in merging Instagram and WhatsApp, processing investigative data from the merged platforms can be harder or longer than expected. For Simons, keeping them apart is the easier way to get around the data-collection practices of the said platforms.

Mark Zuckerberg's company is already plunged in scrutiny following last year's revelation of the case wherein 87 million users' information was obtained by political consultation company Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook is set to pay a settlement fee of $5 billion in a bid to resolve the government's investigations into the firm's privacy policies and data-gathering practices.

Earlier this month, Facebook added its stamp on WhatsApp and Instagram in a move that industry experts believe is the end of the two apps' independent era. Users will see "Instagram on Facebook" both on the login and settings pages.

Over the past years, critics questioned the way Zuckerberg's team handled the two apps under its wing. While the plan to merge the two could help Zuckerberg better monitor systems, it does not mean there won't be problems along the way, experts said.

Meanwhile, the social media behemoth continues to be flagged with privacy crises, including the shocking reveal about Instagram ads partner, Hyp3r. The latter reportedly harvested some information from the photo-sharing app's user base without the platform's knowledge.

Hyp3r has denied all allegations, stating that it did not violate any Instagram policies regarding the privacy of its users. However, the photo and video app already cut ties with the ads firm.

It remains to be seen if Facebook will tighten up its security measures on the two apps if the merger pushes through. The company also has yet to provide a clear plan regarding the merger as the FTC continues to doubt how the project could reduce or eliminate the platform's overall privacy woes.