Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified on Monday in a closely watched antitrust trial in Washington, defending the company against claims that it acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to stifle competition. US regulators argue that Meta’s multibillion-dollar deals were strategically aimed at neutralizing emerging threats to Facebook’s dominance in the social media landscape.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking a major structural remedy that could force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. This case, viewed as a major test of the US government’s willingness to challenge Big Tech, comes at a critical time when Meta’s revenue heavily depends on platforms like Instagram, which reportedly contributes to nearly half of the company’s US advertising income.
During his testimony, Zuckerberg, dressed in a dark suit and light blue tie, maintained a calm demeanor as he refuted claims that the acquisitions were motivated solely by a desire to crush competition. He insisted that connecting friends and family was only one part of Meta’s broader vision for its apps. Zuckerberg highlighted that Facebook’s strategy also emphasized helping users discover public content, beyond just personal sharing.
Zuckerberg also addressed a pivotal 2018 decision when Facebook shifted its focus back to content shared by friends, a move that failed to keep pace with how users were increasingly sharing through private messages rather than public posts. Meanwhile, the FTC presented internal communications suggesting Zuckerberg had viewed acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp as strategic moves to preempt future rivals, particularly with the rising competition from newer platforms like TikTok.