Meta Faces Antitrust Trial Over Instagram, Whatsapp Acquisitions

Meta Platforms Inc. is currently facing an antitrust trial that could potentially lead to the company being forced to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp. The trial, which commenced on April 14, 2025, challenges Meta's acquisitions of these two social media platforms, which occurred over a decade ago.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated the lawsuit in 2020, alleging that Meta, previously known as Facebook, strategically acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to suppress competition and establish a monopoly within the social media market. The FTC argues that Meta pursued a deliberate strategy of acquiring potential rivals instead of engaging in direct competition.

Meta refutes these allegations, asserting that Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp face competition from numerous other platforms, including TikTok and YouTube. The company maintains that the FTC's lawsuit is unrealistic and that regulators should foster American innovation rather than impede it. Meta's spokesperson, Christopher Sgro, stated that the FTC's case "defies reality" and that the evidence will demonstrate that these platforms compete with various others.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg will preside over the trial, and the outcome could have significant repercussions for Meta. If the company is compelled to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp, it could potentially cut its advertising business in half. The trial is expected to involve extensive evidence and testimony, including from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.