Overview

• The Federal Trade Commission alleges Meta acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate competition, with the trial marking a pivotal moment for Big Tech antitrust enforcement.
• If the FTC prevails, Meta could be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, risking tens of billions in ad revenue and reshaping its business model.
• Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made repeated White House visits in a last-ditch effort to settle the case, though a settlement appears increasingly unlikely.
• Meta's defense emphasizes that the FTC approved both acquisitions initially and argues that these investments transformed the platforms into global successes.
• The trial is expected to set a precedent for antitrust law enforcement and could test the boundaries of executive influence over regulatory agencies.