FTC Takes Meta to Court Over Instagram and WhatsApp Acquisitions

On April 14, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) began a high-profile antitrust trial against Meta Platforms at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The FTC alleges that Meta, under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, engaged in monopolistic practices by acquiring potential rivals Instagram and WhatsApp during their early startup stages. According to the FTC, these acquisitions were part of a deliberate ‘buy-or-bury strategy’ intended to eliminate competition and consolidate power within the social media space.

Daniel Matheson, the FTC’s lead litigator, argued that Meta avoided healthy competition by choosing to purchase its rivals rather than improving its own products and services. The government contends that this strategy not only hindered innovation but also reduced the choices available to consumers.

This trial is considered one of the most significant antitrust challenges in the tech sector in recent years. If successful, the FTC may seek a court order requiring Meta to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp, which could set a precedent for future oversight of large technology firms and their acquisition strategies. The case has the potential to reshape the business models of dominant tech players and influence how Silicon Valley operates going forward.