Tue, 15 Apr 2025

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 Mark Zuckerberg defends Meta in social media monopoly trial

The US government is seeking to break up Meta by forcing a spinoff of Instagram or WhatsApp.

* Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark antitrust trial against Meta, defending his company's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
* The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleges that Meta dominates the market through its acquisitions and is seeking to break up the company by forcing a spinoff of Instagram or WhatsApp.
* Meta says there's plenty of competition in social media from apps such as TikTok, X, and YouTube.
* Zuckerberg defended his 2011 email saying "Instagram seems like it's growing quickly", calling it a "relatively early" conversation about buying the app.
* The FTC points to the emails as evidence that Meta was motivated by a desire to acquire Instagram, not just its camera technology.
* Meta counters that the lawsuit from the FTC is "misguided" and that acquisitions can improve and grow companies, which has never been found unlawful.
* Zuckerberg's testimony will continue on Tuesday.
* The trial is expected to last two months and the outcome could have significant implications for the tech industry.
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