Landmark antitrust trial could force Zuckerberg to sell Instagram

A high-profile antitrust trial against social media giant Meta begins Monday in Washington. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claims Meta, already owning Facebook, acquired Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 to stifle competition and secure a monopoly.

Though the FTC initially approved both deals, it now argues the purchases were anti-competitive. If successful, the case could force CEO Mark Zuckerberg to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp.

Meta maintains it did nothing wrong and says users have benefited from the acquisitions. Experts suggest Zuckerberg’s internal communications—such as stating it’s “better to buy than to compete”—may become key evidence.

The FTC says the deals harmed competition, while Meta will likely argue that consumer experience improved and that platforms like TikTok and YouTube prove the market remains competitive.

Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg are expected to testify in the trial, which may last several weeks.

Filed during Donald Trump’s first term, the case now unfolds amid renewed scrutiny. Reports say Zuckerberg personally lobbied Trump to drop the case—something Meta has not denied. Meanwhile, recent firings of two Democratic FTC commissioners by Trump have raised concerns about political interference.

The FTC, under new chair Andrew Ferguson, has vowed to follow the law but faces questions over its independence. Ferguson has previously stated that regulatory bodies are “not good for democracy.”

Legal experts believe the FTC faces an uphill battle. Unlike the DOJ’s ongoing antitrust case against Google’s search monopoly, the market for social platforms is broader, making it harder to prove harm.

Meta argues that Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp compete directly with TikTok, YouTube, X, and iMessage, and that breaking up the company would hurt innovation and users.

The outcome of this case could reshape U.S. antitrust enforcement in the tech sector.