The highly anticipated antitrust trial between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Meta Platforms Inc. begins Monday, marking the peak of a nearly six-year legal battle that could reshape the future of the tech giant. The courtroom drama, unfolding in front of US District Judge James Boasberg, is expected to last seven to eight weeks, with both sides preparing to present exhaustive evidence and witness testimony.
Among the key figures expected to take the stand are Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, according to NPR. The FTC is challenging Meta’s past acquisitions of Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014), accusing the company of engaging in monopolistic practices aimed at eliminating competition.
FTC Accuses Meta of a “Buy or Bury” Strategy
The FTC argues that Meta pursued a deliberate strategy to “buy or bury” emerging rivals, stifling innovation and securing a dominant position in the social media landscape. In one 2012 internal email, Zuckerberg allegedly described the Instagram acquisition as a way to “neutralize a potential competitor.” The government claims this approach violates federal antitrust laws and is pushing for the separation of Instagram and WhatsApp from Meta’s corporate structure.
According to the BBC, the case has spanned multiple US administrations—initiated under Donald Trump, advanced under Joe Biden, and now heading to trial under the guidance of current FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
Zuckerberg Allegedly Lobbied Trump
In a separate twist reported by The Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg allegedly lobbied then-President Trump to pressure the FTC into dropping the case—an allegation Meta has strongly denied. The relationship between the two soured after Trump was banned from Meta’s platforms following the January 6 Capitol riot.
Meta’s Defense: “This Lawsuit Defies Reality”
Meta has dismissed the FTC’s case as unfounded and out of touch with today’s competitive digital landscape. “The evidence at trial will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp compete with Chinese-owned TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage and many others,” said Meta spokesperson Christopher Sgro.
“More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared our acquisitions, the Commission’s action in this case sends the message that no deal is ever truly final,” he added.
What’s at Stake?
The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for how tech companies are regulated in the United States. If the FTC prevails, it could result in Meta being forced to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp—two of its most valuable assets. The case also underscores growing concerns over Big Tech’s unchecked power and the government’s willingness to revisit and potentially reverse past merger approvals.
As opening statements begin, the trial promises to be a defining moment in the battle between Silicon Valley and Washington’s antitrust enforcers.
