Meta to Face FTC Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions in April

The trial will examine claims that Meta's acquisitions stifled competition and maintained its dominance in social networking.

The FTC alleges that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were aimed at eliminating potential competition in the social media market.
A U.S. District Judge has scheduled the trial for April 14, following the rejection of Meta's bid to dismiss the case earlier this month.
Meta argues that its acquisitions have enhanced user experiences and that competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube challenges the FTC's claims of monopoly power.
The case, initially filed in 2020, could set a significant precedent for antitrust enforcement in the tech industry if the FTC prevails.
Judge James Boasberg acknowledged the challenges of applying traditional antitrust laws to evolving digital markets, emphasizing the complexity of the case.