In a dramatic legal showdown that could reshape the future of social media,
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to face a
landmark antitrust trial in Washington. The United States Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) has accused Meta of eliminating competition by acquiring
Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, suggesting the moves were designed to
establish a monopoly in the personal networking space.
The FTC, which initially approved the acquisitions, now argues that Meta
used its financial power to neutralize potential threats, essentially
preventing healthy competition in the digital marketplace. Central to the case
are internal emails from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, including one where he
allegedly stated that it was better to buy than compete, a quote expected to be
a key piece of evidence in the trial.
Meta strongly denies any wrongdoing and insists that its ownership of
Instagram and WhatsApp has improved the user experience. Legal analysts believe
Meta will argue that the merger benefited consumers and allowed the platforms
to grow under the company’s guidance. Both Zuckerberg and former Meta COO
Sheryl Sandberg are expected to testify in the case, which may last for several
weeks.
The case has become politically sensitive, especially under the
administration of President Donald Trump. According to reports, Zuckerberg has
lobbied the president directly in hopes of getting the case dropped. The FTC
has not commented, but recent firings of Democratic commissioners Rebecca
Slaughter and Alvaro Bedoya by the Trump administration have sparked concerns
about potential political interference.
Slaughter and Bedoya, now suing to be reinstated, claim their dismissal
sends a message to other commissioners that opposing political allies could
lead to termination. Meanwhile, FTC Chairman Ferguson, a Trump appointee,
maintains that he will follow lawful orders while stressing the need to
preserve the integrity of independent regulatory bodies.
The trial comes as antitrust scrutiny intensifies across Big Tech. While the
Department of Justice presses forward with a similar case against Google,
experts believe the FTC’s battle against Meta will be more challenging due to
the wider competition in social media. Meta insists that its platforms compete
vigorously with TikTok, YouTube, and other services, and claims the FTC’s
actions undermine business confidence in regulatory approvals.
The outcome of the trial could have sweeping consequences, possibly forcing
Zuckerberg to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp—a move that would mark one of the
most significant antitrust rulings in tech history.
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