FTC Rests Case Against Meta in Landmark Antitrust Trial

Meta Platforms is currently defending itself in a high-profile antitrust trial brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which alleges that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp created an illegal social media monopoly. The FTC argues that Meta dominates the market for personal social networking services, a market it defines narrowly to exclude competitors like TikTok and YouTube, and claims this dominance has harmed consumers by reducing product quality and privacy while increasing advertising. Meta disputes the FTC's market definition and contends that it faces substantial competition from various platforms, asserting that the government has not demonstrated consumer harm or antitrust violations. After the FTC rested its case following weeks of testimony, including from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg, Meta began presenting its defense and filed a motion requesting Judge James Boasberg to rule in its favor, stating the FTC failed to meet its burden of proof. The trial, which may extend into June, centers on whether Meta must divest Instagram and WhatsApp, with Judge Boasberg expected to decide the outcome based on the evidence and arguments presented by both sides. This case highlights ongoing debates over market definitions and competitive dynamics in the evolving social media landscape.