Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta Platforms, testified on Monday in a courtroom in Washington, D.C., to defend his company against federal claims labeling it a monopoly.
As the parent organization of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta is engaged in a critical showdown with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on what marks the first day of a pivotal antitrust trial that might lead to the disbanding of the company. For Zuckerberg, this case could dictate whether the extensive business network he initiated during his Harvard University years will remain intact.
This trial serves as the FTC’s inaugural major test of its resolve under the Trump administration to challenge Big Tech, which has consistently been a focal point for Republican criticism. The lawsuit against Meta—originally named Facebook—was initiated in 2020 during Trump’s first term and later revised in 2021.
The FTC’s complaint asserts that Meta is engaged in “anticompetitive conduct,” claiming that its ownership of Instagram and WhatsApp grants it excessive leverage over the social media landscape.
“There is nothing fundamentally wrong with Meta pursuing innovation,” stated FBI lead attorney Daniel Matheson in his opening remarks for the agency on Monday, “but the subsequent actions pose a problem.”
During his testimony, Zuckerberg defended his decision to acquire Instagram and countered the FTC’s allegations that he neglected to invest in the app’s development.
Instagram and WhatsApp, acquired by Facebook in 2012 and 2014, respectively, have evolved into significant forces in social media.
According to court documents, the FTC argues that for competition to be revived, Meta must divest itself of both Instagram and WhatsApp. The agency also seeks to require Meta to notify the government of any future mergers or acquisitions.
As this landmark case unfolds, here are essential details to consider.
How long will the Meta trial last, and who will testify?
The trial commenced on Monday in federal court in Washington, D.C., and is anticipated to span several weeks.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg will oversee the proceedings, which are expected to feature a variety of witnesses, including Zuckerberg; former Meta Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg; former Meta Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer; Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom; and executives from competing social media companies.
What is happening in court today?
On Monday, the FTC and Meta presented their opening arguments, with witness testimony expected to commence in the afternoon.
During his introductory statement, attorney Matheson argued that Meta was attempting to eliminate potential competition by acquiring WhatsApp and Instagram, which were viewed as direct threats in the market.
Conversely, Meta maintained that it did nothing improper in acquiring both platforms. Attorney Mark Hansen asserted during his opening argument that the apps have experienced significant growth under Meta’s ownership and contended that there is insufficient proof of Meta’s monopolistic status.
If Meta possessed monopoly power, Hansen argued, it would control pricing across the social media domain. However, since Meta’s services are free, he questioned, “How can the FTC sustain a monopolization claim when [Meta] has never charged users a dime?”
After both sides delivered their opening remarks, Zuckerberg was called to the stand to provide testimony. His
statement centered on Facebook’s attempts to develop a photo-sharing app to rival Instagram before ultimately deciding to purchase it in 2012.
Zuckerberg acknowledged that Facebook was struggling to reach mobile users in the early 2010s, explaining, “Our entire company had been structured for desktop up to that point.”
The FTC referenced email communications from Zuckerberg indicating he was aware of Instagram’s rapid growth. At the time, Facebook was working on launching its own photo-sharing app.
The FTC noted that in February 2011, Zuckerberg sent an email stating, “Instagram appears to be growing quickly,” highlighting their user numbers and uploads.
In 2012, Zuckerberg sent another email articulating his reasoning for acquiring Instagram, describing it as a viable photo-sharing platform. He admitted Facebook was lagging significantly, stating, “We don’t fully grasp how far behind we are,” and added, “I am concerned it might take too long for us to catch up.”
Zuckerberg is scheduled to continue his testimony in court Tuesday morning.
What’s at stake?
This confrontation represents the most significant legal challenge against Meta in its nearly two-decade existence. If the FTC prevails, Meta may be compelled to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, platforms that contribute significantly to its advertising revenue.
According to Emarketer analyst Jasmine Enberg, “Instagram has been vital in maintaining user engagement for Meta, particularly among younger demographics.”
The trial occurs as Meta strives to revive interest in its original Facebook platform to attract younger users as they enter social media. Social media engagement is now more decentralized compared to 2012 when Instagram was acquired, and Facebook is increasingly seen as less appealing to younger audiences. Meta relies heavily on Instagram for growth, especially as advertisers begin prioritizing Instagram in their marketing budgets.
Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Meta amassed over $164 billion in revenue in 2024. Facebook and Instagram remain the most lucrative social media platforms worldwide.
In a statement released on April 13, Meta proclaimed the “stakes could not be higher for American consumers and businesses” in this trial.
What is Meta saying?
Meta has labeled the FTC’s case as “weak,” arguing that it “disregards the realities of competition,” while emphasizing that it faces considerable rivalry from platforms like TikTok and YouTube—both of which capture more user engagement than Facebook and Instagram.
Meta’s statement reads, “A misguided lawsuit such as this will deter companies from pursuing innovation, fearing repercussions if that innovation yields success.” It also noted, “This flimsy case is costing taxpayers millions of dollars.”
A Meta spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch, “The FTC’s legal action against Meta misrepresents the facts. The evidence presented in trial will demonstrate what every teen globally understands: Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp compete with TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage, and many other platforms.”
“Regulatory bodies should promote American innovation rather than attempting to dismantle a successful American corporation and further advantage foreign competitors in critical sectors such as AI,” the spokesperson concluded.
The FTC did not respond to requests for comment.
When did this case get started?
The origins of the Meta case span several years, with the FTC initiating the lawsuit in 2020 during Trump’s presidency.
In June 2021, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed the antitrust lawsuit filed by the FTC, deeming the complaints “legally insufficient” and lacking evidence to substantiate claims of Facebook being a monopoly.
However, the federal judge later allowed the case to move forward after the FTC presented additional evidence in a revised complaint, as reported by The Washington Post.
