Washington D.C. – The high-stakes antitrust trial between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Meta Platforms Inc. concluded in May 2025, after approximately six weeks of proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Judge James Boasberg is now set to deliver a ruling that could potentially force Meta to divest its popular platforms, Instagram and WhatsApp. The legal battle centers on allegations that Meta illegally maintained a monopoly in the social networking market through its strategic acquisitions.
The FTC initially filed its lawsuit in December 2020, alleging that Meta, then Facebook, engaged in anti-competitive conduct by acquiring Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014. While an initial complaint was dismissed in June 2021, the FTC filed an amended version in August 2021 with more detailed evidence, which allowed the case to proceed to trial. The commission argues these acquisitions were part of a "buy or bury" strategy to neutralize emerging competitors in the "personal social networking services" market.
The trial commenced on April 14, 2025, featuring testimony from key figures, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The FTC presented internal emails, including one from Zuckerberg stating his intent to "neutralize a potential competitor" before the Instagram acquisition. The commission contended that Meta's actions stifled innovation and harmed consumers by reducing competition, leading to outcomes like increased ad loads and potential privacy degradation.
Meta, in its defense, countered that its acquisitions fostered significant investment and development, making Instagram and WhatsApp more robust and beneficial for users. The company argued that it faces intense competition from a broad range of platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, asserting that the FTC's narrow market definition for "personal social networking services" fails to reflect the true competitive landscape. Meta maintained that its growth is a result of merit-based competition and innovation.
The outcome of this landmark case carries significant implications for the tech industry and future antitrust enforcement. A ruling in favor of the FTC could set a precedent for breaking up large technology companies and reshape how mergers and acquisitions are scrutinized. Conversely, a Meta victory would validate its long-held argument that its acquisitions were pro-competitive and beneficial.
The ongoing legal scrutiny of Meta is highlighted by instances such as the tweet from "Internal Tech Emails," which indicated a document originated from the FTC v. Meta (2025) proceedings. This account is known for publishing screenshots of internal tech company documents, suggesting that the trial has brought internal corporate records into public view.