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Tech Giant Defends Against FTC Breakup Demand
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stand in a landmark antitrust trial as federal regulators seek to break up the social media conglomerate. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges Meta illegally maintained monopoly power by acquiring rivals Instagram and WhatsApp.
"No Monopoly" Defense Strategy
Meta's lead attorney Mark Hansen opened arguments by declaring "Meta has no monopoly," countering FTC claims that the company neutralized competition through strategic acquisitions. The trial marks the Biden administration's most significant effort to rein in Big Tech's dominance.
Zuckerberg Grilled on Instagram Deal
Under questioning, Zuckerberg addressed internal emails describing Instagram as "really scary" competition before its $1 billion acquisition in 2012. He testified: "Some of the stuff is simply hypothetical... I'm not sure if I read this as I was really scared at the time." FTC lawyers presented evidence showing Meta's own camera app failed to compete against Instagram.
TikTok: The Game Changer
Meta's defense centered on TikTok's explosive growth, calling it the true market disruptor. Lawyers argued TikTok "rocked the world" and triggered a "crisis" at Meta, forcing the development of Instagram Reels. They noted that during a 2021 Meta outage, TikTok usage surged 11%.
Potential Breakup Looms
If successful, the FTC lawsuit could force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp - acquisitions originally approved by regulators. Meta warned in a statement: "Regulators should be supporting American innovation, rather than seeking to break up a great American company."
Broader Tech Antitrust Landscape
This trial follows the Justice Department's case against Google and signals increased antitrust scrutiny of tech giants. Legal experts suggest the outcome could reshape how regulators evaluate tech mergers going forward.
