Zuckerberg Faces FTC Antitrust Trial Over Instagram Acquisition

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced intense scrutiny during the second day of the FTC's antitrust trial, which alleges that Meta illegally monopolized the social media market by acquiring competitors like Instagram and WhatsApp. FTC attorney Daniel Matheson presented internal emails from Zuckerberg that suggest he viewed Instagram as a 'rapidly growing, threatening network' and intended to acquire it to neutralize competition. Zuckerberg countered that while he acknowledged concerns about Instagram's growth, his motivations were also driven by the potential to enhance Facebook's offerings. The trial has highlighted a pattern where Meta allegedly preferred to buy out rivals rather than compete, with Matheson arguing this behavior violates antitrust laws. Key evidence includes a 2012 email where Zuckerberg indicated that acquiring Instagram was a strategic move against a competitor, further supporting the FTC's case. As the trial progresses, the FTC must prove that Meta's acquisitions hindered competition in the social media space.