Washington DC – Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a groundbreaking antitrust trial defending his company against allegations of operating a social media monopoly. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) initiated the case in 2020, accusing Meta, previously known as Facebook, of unfairly dominating the market through its acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.

During his testimony at a federal court in Washington DC, Zuckerberg wore a dark suit and light blue tie. The trial, which began on Monday, is expected to last for two months. The FTC referenced a 2011 email from Zuckerberg discussing the rapid growth of Instagram. In a subsequent email the following year, he expressed concern about falling behind in the industry.

Zuckerberg defended his statements on the stand, describing the emails as early discussions about acquiring Instagram and emphasizing the improvements made to the platform over the years. He stated that the decision to purchase Instagram was based on its camera technology rather than its social networking capabilities.

The FTC alleged that Meta overpaid for Instagram and WhatsApp as a defensive maneuver, suggesting that the company preferred acquisition over competition. In response, Meta’s attorney argued that the acquisitions were intended to enhance and expand the platforms, not stifle competition. The FTC pointed to a 2012 memo from Zuckerberg discussing the need to “neutralize” Instagram, while Meta emphasized that the purchases aimed to enhance the consumer experience.

Both sides presented conflicting viewpoints on the motivations behind Meta’s acquisitions, with the FTC characterizing them as anti-competitive and Meta defending them as efforts to innovate and grow. The trial is expected to continue with further testimony from Zuckerberg and additional evidence to be presented in the coming days.