Meta's Landmark Antitrust Trial Opens With Focus on 2020 Election

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is pursuing a significant antitrust case against Meta Platforms, alleging that the company opted to acquire competitors like Instagram and WhatsApp instead of competing in the market [1][2][3]. Group 1: FTC's Allegations and Objectives - The FTC claims that Meta's acquisitions were a strategy to avoid competition, with attorney Daniel Matheson stating that Meta found competition too challenging [2][3]. - The FTC is seeking to reverse Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, which were initially approved in 2012 and 2014, respectively [3][5]. - FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson emphasized that the agency is responsible for monitoring market conditions and has evidence that these transactions have become anticompetitive [4][5]. Group 2: Context and Background - The investigation into Meta began before the 2020 election, with the lawsuit filed in December 2020 during the final weeks of the Trump administration [4]. - The acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp have significantly increased Meta's market power, prompting the FTC to ensure that similar situations do not arise in the future [5][7]. Group 3: Trial Developments - Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to be one of the first witnesses in the trial, along with former COO Sheryl Sandberg and Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom [6]. - The FTC is actively countering Meta's lobbying efforts to settle the case or dismiss it before trial [5][6].