Mark Zuckerberg defends Meta’s Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions in antitrust trial

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a high-stakes U.S. antitrust trial, defending his company’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp against allegations that they were intended to eliminate competition. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Meta of monopolising the social media market by acquiring potential rivals instead of competing with them.
The FTC argues that Meta’s $1 billion purchase of Instagram in 2012 and $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014 were strategic moves to suppress competition. The agency has presented internal emails from Zuckerberg, including one in which he described Instagram’s rise as “really scary” and suggested acquiring the platform to neutralise a competitor.
FTC attorney Daniel Matheson stated, “They decided that competition is too hard and it would be easier to buy out their rivals than to compete with them.” The lawsuit seeks to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially reshaping the company’s business structure.

Mark Zuckerberg countered the allegations by arguing that Meta’s acquisitions were innovation-driven and aimed at improving user experience. He emphasised that Instagram and WhatsApp were small startups at the time of purchase and that Meta’s investments helped them grow into global platforms.
Meta’s legal team also challenged the FTC’s claims, arguing that the company faces strong competition from platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Apple’s iMessage. They contended that Meta’s apps remain free for users and that the company’s market dominance does not equate to an illegal monopoly.
The case represents one of the most significant antitrust challenges against Big Tech in recent years. If the FTC succeeds, Meta could be forced to break apart its business, setting a precedent for future tech mergers and acquisitions.