Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a high-stakes U.S. antitrust trial on Monday, facing accusations that his company abused its market dominance to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges these buyouts stifled competition, potentially forcing Meta to divest the platforms. As the trial unfolds in a Washington federal court, Zuckerberg’s testimony marks a pivotal moment in one of the most significant challenges to Big Tech’s power.
The FTC claims Meta, formerly Facebook, acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion and WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion to eliminate emerging competitors. FTC attorney Daniel Matheson argued, “Meta chose to buy rivals rather than compete,” suggesting these moves secured its dominance in social media. The agency points to a 2012 email from Zuckerberg describing Instagram’s rise as “really scary,” hinting at his motive to neutralize a threat.
Meta Platforms Inc. faces a historic antitrust trial beginning Monday that could force the tech giant to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought more than a decade ago that have since grown into social media powerhouses.
Read more: https://t.co/5QgxtvUMB4 pic.twitter.com/BbE9Oshbeo
— ABC News (@ABC) April 14, 2025If successful, the FTC’s case could lead to a historic ruling, compelling Meta to sell off Instagram now with two billion active users—and WhatsApp, a global messaging giant. This outcome would reshape the tech landscape, making the trial a focal point for regulators and industry watchers.
Meta’s legal team, led by attorney Mark Hansen, counters that the acquisitions were lawful and transformative. They argue that Meta’s investments turned Instagram and WhatsApp into the powerhouses they are today, benefiting users with enhanced features and global reach. Hansen emphasized that acquisitions aimed at growth are standard in the U.S. and not inherently anti-competitive.
Social media giant Meta is set to stand trial on Monday facing serious US government allegations that it abused its market power to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp before they could become competitors ➡️ https://t.co/RbfapeOexm pic.twitter.com/KkptcPM43R
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 14, 2025Meta contends that its platforms face robust competition from TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage, and others. A company spokesperson stated, “The evidence will show Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp compete in a crowded market.” This argument challenges the FTC’s narrower market definition, which focuses on apps that connect users with family and friends and excludes platforms like TikTok.
Presided over by Judge James Boasberg, the trial is expected to last at least eight weeks and feature testimony from Zuckerberg, former Meta executive Sheryl Sandberg, and leaders from rival firms. Filed in December 2020 during the first Trump administration, the case gained attention amid speculation that President Donald Trump’s return might soften antitrust enforcement. Zuckerberg’s efforts to influence this outcome through White House visits, a donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, and a $23 million Washington mansion purchase have failed to halt the proceedings.
This lawsuit is one of five major U.S. antitrust actions targeting tech giants, including Google (recently found guilty of search-market abuse), Apple, and Amazon. The outcomes could redefine competition in the industry, with Meta’s case setting a critical precedent.
