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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.

EU Court Adviser Supports WhatsApp in Privacy Fine Dispute

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An adviser to Europe’s top court has backed WhatsApp in its appeal against the EU privacy watchdog’s decision to increase its fine for data privacy violations. The case stems from a 2021 ruling in which Ireland’s data protection authority fined WhatsApp 225 million euros ($242.2 million). The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) intervened at the time, compelling Ireland to raise the penalty.

WhatsApp had challenged the EDPB’s authority to impose such a directive, but a lower tribunal ruled in 2022 that the company lacked standing to sue the regulator directly. Advocate General Tamara Capeta of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has now disagreed with that assessment, stating that WhatsApp’s challenge is valid and should be reconsidered. The CJEU is expected to issue its final ruling in the coming months.

WhatsApp for iOS May Soon Allow Users to Link Their Instagram Profiles

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WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature for its iOS app that could allow users to add social media links to their profiles. According to a well-known feature tracker, this capability was spotted in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for iOS and may currently be accessible to select beta testers. Initially, the feature is expected to support Instagram profile links, with the possibility of expanding to other social media platforms in the future.

Adding Instagram Links to WhatsApp Profiles

As reported by WABetaInfo, Meta-owned WhatsApp is developing the ability to integrate Instagram profile links into user accounts. The feature was discovered in WhatsApp Beta for iOS version 25.7.10.70. Based on shared screenshots, once a user adds their Instagram link, it will appear directly on their WhatsApp profile, positioned below their profile picture and display name.

Users are also expected to have control over who can see their linked Instagram profile, with privacy options such as “Everyone,” “My contacts,” “My contacts except…,” and “Nobody.” This ensures flexibility and privacy while integrating social media accounts. The option to add an Instagram profile link is reportedly found in the app’s settings menu under profile customization.

It is important to note that linking an Instagram profile to WhatsApp is entirely optional, meaning users who prefer to keep their accounts separate can choose not to enable the feature. As WhatsApp continues to expand its cross-platform functionality, this new integration could pave the way for deeper connections between Meta’s suite of apps, including Facebook and Threads.