Meta heads to major antitrust trial, risks losing Whatsapp and Instagram ownership

Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is now facing its biggest legal challenge ever. On Monday, Meta will appear in court for a major antitrust trial. This case is the result of a six-year investigation by the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The trial could lead to major changes in how Meta operates—and in the worst case, the company might even lose control of Instagram and WhatsApp.

This lawsuit is not just about past actions. It’s about the future of competition in the tech world. The FTC believes that Meta has become too powerful by buying out its competitors and using its size to block others. The case will be heard in front of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg and is expected to last between seven to eight weeks. It will involve many witnesses, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

Let’s break down what’s happening, what’s at stake, and why it matters to everyone who uses social media.

What the FTC says

The FTC, which works to protect consumers and promote fair competition, says that Meta’s actions have hurt competition in the tech world. Their main argument is that Meta has followed a “buy or bury” strategy. This means that instead of competing fairly with other companies, Meta either buys them or blocks their growth.

For example, the FTC has pointed to a 2012 email from Mark Zuckerberg where he reportedly said that buying Instagram would “neutralize a potential competitor.” This email will likely be shown during the trial as proof of Meta’s real intentions behind the Instagram deal.

The FTC argues that Meta has done this with more than just Instagram. It claims that Meta has been watching the tech market closely and buying up any company that looks like a threat—like it did with WhatsApp. The agency believes that these actions go against federal antitrust laws. These laws are meant to stop big companies from getting too powerful and harming consumers by limiting choices or raising prices.

According to the FTC, Meta now has a monopoly on personal social networking services. That means it dominates the space so much that other companies don’t have a real chance to compete. The agency says Meta has kept this monopoly by buying rivals and by using users’ personal data to sell targeted ads—making a huge profit while reducing consumer privacy and choice.

What Meta says

Meta doesn’t agree with any of this. A spokesperson for the company, Christopher Sgro, said the FTC’s claims are “unrealistic” and do not reflect the true nature of today’s social media industry. He argued that Meta operates in a very competitive environment and that people have many choices when it comes to social media apps.

Meta also pointed out that the government had already approved the purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp when they were first made. Now, the FTC is trying to undo those deals, which the company believes is unfair and unreasonable. Meta insists that it has not done anything illegal and that it acquired those apps to improve services for users, not to kill competition.

Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta leaders are expected to strongly defend the company’s position when they testify during the trial. They will likely say that innovation and improvement were their main goals—not eliminating competition.

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Why this matters

This trial is being closely watched not only in the U.S. but around the world. It’s a major test of how governments can handle huge tech companies that have grown so powerful. The outcome could change how these companies operate in the future.

If the FTC wins, the court might order Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. That would be a huge blow for the company. These platforms are two of the most important parts of Meta’s business, especially because of the advertising money they bring in. Instagram alone is one of Meta’s biggest sources of income. Losing it would mean a major loss for the company—not just in money but in influence and reach.

The trial could also set an example for other tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple. If the government succeeds in breaking up Meta, it might try to do the same with other companies that are seen as too powerful.

On the other hand, if Meta wins, it could become even stronger. A victory in court would allow it to keep Instagram and WhatsApp and continue its business model. But it might also mean that it will be harder for governments to control tech monopolies in the future.

Rebecca Haw Allensworth, a law professor from Vanderbilt University who specializes in antitrust issues, told the BBC that Zuckerberg once said, “It’s better to buy than to compete.” That idea might end up hurting Meta in court. The FTC plans to use statements like this as evidence that Meta’s goal was always to take over competitors rather than compete fairly with them.

The FTC is not just trying to punish Meta. Its main goal is to restore fair competition in the tech industry. This could mean more opportunities for smaller companies to grow, more choices for users, and better privacy protections. Right now, many people feel like they have no real alternative to the big platforms like Instagram or WhatsApp. If the FTC wins, this could change.

How the trial will work

The trial will begin with both sides—Meta and the FTC—presenting their opening statements. Then, witnesses will be called to testify. These could include Meta employees, FTC officials, and experts in technology and economics.

Each side will try to prove its case by showing documents, emails, and data. They will also question each other’s witnesses. Judge James Boasberg will listen to all of this and make a decision at the end of the trial.

This case is complicated because the FTC originally approved Meta’s purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp. But now, the agency says it was wrong to do that and wants to fix its mistake. That’s a tough argument to make in court, especially because laws on monopolies and competition are often open to interpretation.

What could happen next

There are a few possible outcomes for this trial:

1. Meta loses the case: The court could order Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. This would weaken Meta’s control over social media and allow smaller companies to grow.

2. Meta wins the case: The court could reject the FTC’s claims and allow Meta to keep its current structure. This would be a major win for the company and for other big tech firms.

3. A settlement: Sometimes, these cases don’t go all the way to a final ruling. Meta and the FTC might reach an agreement that avoids a breakup but still puts some limits on the company’s actions.

Whatever happens, this case is likely to shape the future of tech regulation. It raises big questions: How much power should one company have? Should governments step in when companies get too big? And how can we make sure that users have real choices and privacy in the digital age?

The FTC vs Meta trial is one of the most important legal battles in tech history. It’s not just about one company—it’s about the balance of power in the online world. With big names set to testify and serious consequences on the line, this trial could change how we use the internet in the years to come.