Zuckerberg Testifies Again in U.S. Antitrust Trial Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg returned to the witness stand on Tuesday for a second day in a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington, where U.S. regulators are seeking to unwind his company’s past acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
The case, brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), alleges that Meta—formerly Facebook—acquired the two platforms in a strategic move to eliminate future competition. The FTC is pushing for the tech giant to divest from both companies, which have grown into global platforms with billions of users since their acquisition.
Zuckerberg’s testimony comes amid political shifts in the United States, with growing speculation about how a potential second term for Donald Trump might affect regulatory pressure on Big Tech. The trial has disrupted hopes that a change in administration would lead to a softer approach on antitrust enforcement.
Filed in December 2020 during Trump’s first term, the lawsuit marks one of the most significant legal challenges faced by a technology company in the U.S. in decades. Observers have noted Zuckerberg’s increased presence in Washington in recent years, with reports suggesting he’s lobbied behind the scenes for a settlement.
According to sources, Zuckerberg made multiple visits to the White House, contributed to Trump’s inauguration fund, and relaxed Meta’s content moderation policies in an effort to influence outcomes. His purchase of a $23 million home in the U.S. capital was also seen as a strategic move to stay close to political power.
At the heart of the case is Meta’s $1 billion acquisition of Instagram in 2012, which the FTC argues was a preemptive strike against emerging competition. During his Monday testimony, Zuckerberg dismissed the allegations, saying the decision was made during early-stage discussions when Instagram’s future was still unclear.
The FTC, however, has also pointed to Meta’s $19 billion purchase of WhatsApp in 2014, claiming it followed a similar pattern. Regulators argue that internal communications show Zuckerberg feared WhatsApp’s potential to evolve into a competing social platform or attract rival buyers.
The outcome of the trial could have sweeping implications for the tech industry, potentially reshaping how future mergers and acquisitions are scrutinized.
