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Mark Zuckerberg Defends Meta Against US Antitrust Allegations During Trial Testimony

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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.

Instagram Testing Dislike Button for Comments, Could Influence Ranking Algorithms

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Instagram Tests Dislike Button for Comments, Aiming to Improve User Experience

Instagram is experimenting with a new “dislike” button for comments, allowing users to privately downvote distasteful or irrelevant remarks on posts and Reels. Unlike traditional like and reaction features, this button will not display public dislike counts but may influence the ranking of comments over time. Currently, the feature is being tested with a limited group of users, and Instagram has not yet announced a public rollout date.

A Private Way to Downvote Negative Comments

Instagram Head Adam Mosseri confirmed the test in a recent Threads post, explaining that the dislike button is intended to give users a way to express disapproval privately. “This gives people a private way to signal that they don’t feel good about a particular comment,” he stated. By keeping dislike counts hidden, Instagram aims to avoid potential public negativity while still gathering feedback on the quality of comments.

Potential Impact on Comment Visibility

While the dislike button itself will not be publicly visible, Mosseri noted that Instagram may eventually integrate the data into its comment ranking system. This means that heavily disliked comments could be pushed lower in the comment section, making conversations more constructive and reducing the visibility of harmful or spammy remarks. The goal, according to Mosseri, is to create a friendlier comment environment across Instagram’s Feed and Reels.

Similarities to Other Platforms

Instagram’s approach to dislikes is similar to Reddit’s downvote button, which allows users to influence comment visibility without displaying a count. YouTube previously had a public dislike counter for videos but removed it in 2021, citing concerns over targeted negativity. Instagram’s test suggests that platforms are still exploring ways to give users control over content moderation without encouraging hostility. If successful, the feature could become a subtle but powerful tool for shaping discussions on the platform.

WhatsApp for iOS May Soon Introduce Feature to Add Instagram Profile Links

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WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature for its iOS app that could soon allow users to add their Instagram profile links directly to their account. This new addition is designed to make it easier for users to showcase their social media presence by linking their Instagram profile within WhatsApp. According to a feature tracker, this functionality was spotted in the latest beta version of the iOS app, although it remains under development. Beta testers will not yet have access to this feature, as it is still being fine-tuned before its official release.

The feature, as uncovered by WhatsApp feature tracker WABetaInfo, was found in WhatsApp’s iOS beta version 25.2.10.72, available through the TestFlight beta program. In the app’s user profile interface, a new option titled “Add Links” has been added under the Links section, allowing users to include their Instagram profile by simply tapping a plus icon. While the feature seems simple, it highlights WhatsApp’s push to integrate more social media features into the app, making it a more central hub for communication and personal connections.

However, the current implementation of this feature does not require users to authenticate their Instagram profile, which means users can simply enter their Instagram username. This could potentially raise privacy concerns, particularly around identity theft or misuse of personal information. Given these concerns, it is likely that WhatsApp will introduce an additional layer of authentication to ensure that users are linking their legitimate Instagram profiles before the feature becomes widely available.

It’s important to note that this feature will be optional, so iOS users who prefer not to link their Instagram profiles will not be forced to do so. A similar feature is already available to WhatsApp Business accounts, where users can authenticate their Instagram profile link by logging into their account. This new feature for regular users would offer greater flexibility and convenience, though it will likely come with safeguards to protect privacy and security. As the feature continues to develop, WhatsApp users can look forward to an easier way to connect across platforms while maintaining control over their profiles.