Meta Faces FTC Antitrust Trial Over Instagram, WhatsApp Acquisitions

Meta Platforms Inc. is set to face a landmark antitrust trial initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), challenging its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp as illegal 'killer acquisitions' aimed at stifling competition. The lawsuit, originally filed in December 2020, alleges that these purchases harmed consumer experience by reducing app quality, increasing ads, and compromising privacy. The outcome could force Meta to divest these platforms, which have become integral to its business model, and may reshape how the government evaluates tech mergers. Despite Meta's defense that the acquisitions fostered competition and consumer benefits, the FTC is prepared to argue that the deals should never have been approved. The trial, expected to last at least eight weeks, will feature key testimonies from executives including CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The case reflects a broader trend of increasing scrutiny on Big Tech, with other companies like Google and Apple also facing similar antitrust challenges.