US antitrust case against Meta ends with the government claiming Facebook’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were meant to eliminate competition.
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| In Washington, D.C., the FTC wraps up its case against Meta, alleging anti-competitive practices in its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions. Image: CH |
WASHINGTON, USA – May 17, 2025:
The U.S. government has formally concluded its case in a historic antitrust trial targeting Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accuses Meta of acquiring Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 not to innovate, but to eliminate potential competition in the social media market.
Held in federal court in Washington, D.C., and presided over by Judge James Boasberg, the trial centers on whether Meta’s dominance is sustained by monopolistic control over online social connections — the crucial glue binding users across its platforms. The government contends that this network of personal relationships gives Meta a near-insurmountable advantage, allowing it to consolidate power and revenue regardless of user dissatisfaction.
The FTC argues that Meta’s strategic acquisitions were designed to neutralize rival platforms before they could challenge its market share. The government’s final witness, Facebook head Tom Alison, testified that Meta is navigating an “upheaval” as younger audiences turn toward short-form video platforms like TikTok. “Facebook was built 21 years ago,” Alison said, “and Gen Z has different expectations.”
However, the FTC maintains that Meta’s foundational hold over social interactions insulates it from changing trends and competition. The trial has also included testimony from high-profile executives such as CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom. Systrom revealed that Facebook, post-acquisition, appeared to sideline Instagram’s success to benefit Facebook’s core platform.
Meta refutes the monopoly claims, arguing that it competes in a dynamic global market against platforms like YouTube and TikTok, and that the social media ecosystem evolves too quickly for any one company to maintain lasting dominance.
On Thursday, the FTC officially rested its case. Meta has now begun presenting its defense, starting with testimony from Snap executives, who are expected to offer insights into the competitive landscape Meta operates within. The trial will continue over the coming weeks, with Judge Boasberg ultimately determining whether Meta’s past mergers violated U.S. antitrust law.
If the FTC prevails, Meta could be forced to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp, marking a dramatic shift in the tech industry and setting a precedent for future regulatory actions against digital giants.