Meta Platforms Inc. is facing a landmark antitrust trial in the US, accused of abusing its market power to acquire Instagram and WhatsApp. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Meta’s acquisitions of the two popular platforms stifled competition and seeks to force the company to divest from these platforms.
The trial, being presided over by Judge James Boasberg, is expected to last several weeks and will feature testimony from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other top executives. The FTC claims that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp eliminated potential competitors and limited consumer choice, while Meta argues that its apps face fierce competition from other platforms.
The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for Meta’s business model and the tech industry as a whole. If the FTC succeeds, Meta may be forced to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially altering the social media landscape.
