Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has strongly denied claims that the company’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were part of a strategy to crush potential competition. His testimony, delivered in a federal courtroom during a landmark antitrust trial, could determine whether Meta will be forced to divest its two most powerful platforms.
What’s the Antitrust Case About?
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Meta, formerly Facebook, acquired Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 to “neutralize competitive threats.” According to the agency, this behavior stifled innovation and allowed Meta to dominate social media spaces where users connect with family and friends.
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If the court rules against Meta, it could lead to the breakup of one of the world’s largest tech conglomerates.
Zuckerberg Defense: “No, We Didn’t Buy Them to Kill Competition”
During his third and final day of testimony, Zuckerberg responded with a clear “No” when asked if the acquisitions were meant to eliminate rivals.
He stated that:
- Instagram was bought for its camera and photo-sharing capabilities, not because it posed a serious threat.
- WhatsApp was seen as a technically strong messaging app, but Zuckerberg felt the original founders lacked ambition to scale it globally.
- Meta’s own investment and resources turned these platforms into global giants, not their original potential alone.
“I basically ended up pushing to add things,” Zuckerberg said, referring to WhatsApp’s development after acquisition.
Sheryl Sandberg Backs Up the CEO Claim
Former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg, who testified after Zuckerberg, reiterated the company’s view that its apps thrive not due to monopolistic behavior, but because of the fierce competition and value they provide to users.
She emphasized that users have endless options online:
“Every time you go on your computer or phone, you have a choice of what you spend your time on. That’s what all these platforms are competing for — your time and attention.”
TikTok & YouTube: Real Threats to Meta
Zuckerberg argued that newer platforms like TikTok and YouTube are clear examples of ongoing competition in the social media space.
- TikTok, in particular, has surpassed both Facebook and Instagram in engagement, prompting Meta to launch its own short video feature: Reels.
- YouTube remains a dominant player in the video space, especially as mobile video consumption soars.
“TikTok is still bigger than either Facebook or Instagram,” Zuckerberg admitted. “And I don’t like it when our competitors do better than us.”
Key Takeaways from Zuckerberg Testimony
- Meta insists it didn’t acquire Instagram and WhatsApp to kill competition.
- It claims its investments and innovations made the platforms successful.
- Meta continues to face strong competition from TikTok, YouTube, and other digital platforms.
- A ruling against Meta could force it to sell Instagram and WhatsApp, reshaping the tech landscape.
