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Zuckerberg Testifies in FTC Antitrust Trial as Failed Settlement Offers and Political Ties Scrutinized

The FTC seeks to unwind Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, alleging anticompetitive practices, while Zuckerberg defends the company's actions and market position.

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Mark Hansen, center, a lawyer for Meta, departs following the first day of a historic antitrust trial about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg intentions in acquiring Instagram, at Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Daniel Matheson, a lawyer for the Federal Trade Commission, departs following the first day of a historic antitrust trial about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg's intentions in acquiring Instagram, at Barrett Prettyman United States Court House in Washington, Monday, April 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)
Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg gestures during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on online child sexual exploitation at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, U.S., January 31, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/ File Photo

Overview

  • Mark Zuckerberg testified for a third day in the FTC's antitrust trial, defending Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp against allegations of a 'buy or bury' strategy.
  • Zuckerberg's attempts to settle the case included offers of $450 million and later $1 billion, far below the FTC's demand of up to $30 billion, which were rejected.
  • The FTC alleges Meta's acquisitions eliminated competition and allowed the company to dominate the personal social networking market, a claim Meta disputes by citing broader competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
  • Evidence presented at trial includes internal memos where Zuckerberg contemplated spinning off Instagram and acknowledged its competitive threat to Meta's own products.
  • The trial has also highlighted Zuckerberg's efforts to leverage political connections, including with President Donald Trump, to influence the outcome of the case.