Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand this week in a high-stakes antitrust trial, defending his company’s acquisition of Instagram. Contrary to allegations from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Zuckerberg asserted that the $1 billion deal in 2012 was driven by Instagram’s innovative camera technology, not a desire to eliminate competition.
The FTC contends that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were strategic moves to suppress emerging rivals and maintain a monopoly in the social networking space. They cite internal communications, including a 2012 memo where Zuckerberg discussed the importance of “neutralizing” Instagram, as evidence of anti-competitive intent.
Meta’s legal team argues that the acquisitions were aimed at enhancing user experience by integrating superior features, such as Instagram’s camera capabilities, into their platforms. They maintain that these moves have benefited consumers and fostered innovation, rather than stifling it.
The trial, which began on April 14, 2025, is expected to last several weeks and could have significant implications for Meta’s structure and the broader tech industry.
