Washington, D.C. In a landmark Meta antitrust trial starting today in Washington, U.S. regulators are hard to face Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company. They aim to disassemble what they claim is an illegal social media monopoly. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants Meta to unwind its decade-old acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
The FTC launched the case in 2020. It alleges that Meta obtained these platforms to eliminate rising competitors. Instagram, bought in 2012, and WhatsApp, obtained in 2014, have become central to Meta’s business. According to Emarketer, Instagram alone is expected to generate over $37 billion in U.S. ad revenue this year.
Meta’s Chief Legal Officer, Jennifer Newstead, criticized the case. She described it as “weak” and warned it could discourage innovation and tech investment. In a Sunday blog post, she said, “It’s absurd that the FTC is trying to break up a great American company while the administration is fighting to ban TikTok.”
The Meta antitrust trial could stretch into July. If the FTC wins both this trial and a possible second round, Meta may have to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. This outcome would deeply impact its business model. Instagram alone generates more revenue per user than any other Meta platform.
Zuckerberg Takes the Stand
CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify. Prosecutors may question his emails, in which he called Instagram a “threat” and discussed buying WhatsApp to avoid future competition. Meta argues those statements are outdated. It says the current digital world is ruled by platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Apple’s iMessage.
Meta also plans to cite TikTok’s brief U.S. shutdown as proof of a competitive market. It claims that user activity surged across Meta platforms during the incident. But the FTC disagrees. It says TikTok and YouTube don’t replace Meta’s niche of helping users connect with friends and family. It insists that Instagram and WhatsApp are essential for maintaining Meta’s monopoly.
A Test of Antitrust Enforcement Under Trump 2.0
This Meta antitrust trial also tests the Trump administration’s approach to Big Tech. Despite Meta’s $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration and relaxed content moderation policies, the FTC appears ready for a legal showdown.
“This trial is a big moment,” said FTC spokesperson Joe Simonson. “We’re ready. We’ve got some of the most hardworking legal minds in the country going all-in.”
What’s at Stake?
If Meta loses, it might have to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. That would shake the tech industry. Instagram brings in nearly half of Meta’s U.S. ad revenue. WhatsApp earns less but has massive user potential. It plays a big role in Meta’s plans for AI-driven messaging and business tools.
The Meta antitrust trial could reshape the digital landscape. Its outcome may set a new precedent for how aggressively the U.S. government goes after tech monopolies.
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