15 Apr 2025
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an antitrust suit against Meta for buying Instagram and WhatsApp to avoid competition.
The antitrust trial against Meta started on April 14th. The US FTC alleges that Meta unlawfully monopolised the social media market.
FTC produced an email from Mark Zuckerberg dating back to 2012 confirming his intentions to buy Instagram to “neutralize a competitor” and his concerns about Facebook Camera lagging behind Instagram. Zuckerberg admitted to the genuineness of these emails but clarified that they were being portrayed out of context.
Meta alleges it still competes with YouTube, TikTok, SnapChat, and Apple’s iMessage. FTC argued that users don’t have other meaningful alternatives to Meta.
If the FTC wins, Meta could be forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. Experts estimate Instagram, Meta’s major ad revenue generator, could produce $37 billion in ad revenue in 2025.
This case was filed during President Trump’s first term. Meta donated $1 million to his inauguration this year and is trying to persuade Trump to settle the lawsuit.
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