Tech Desk 
Apr 14, 2025
In a move which is expected to leave an indelible mark on the Facebook parent's reputation, a historical antitrust trial has begun against tech giant Meta in a Washington federal court.
Under the trial, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused the company of illicitly evading competition by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp.
Although it initially approved the purchases of Instagram, in 2012 for $1 billion, and WhatsApp, in 2014 for $22 billion in 2014, the FTC is now seeking to oblige Meta to divest these platforms.
The lawsuit, originally filed in 2020 when Meta was known as Facebook, claims the company abused its dominance to suppress emerging rivals.
Although the case was dismissed by a judge in 2021 as "legally insufficient," the FTC has now successfully revived it under the supervision of judge James Boasberg, who is heading the proceedings.
Given such a huge trial, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is facing a significant challenge which he hoped to get rid of on the condition of US President Donald Trump's second consecutive US presidency, owing to the latter's business-oriented leanings.
Because of appeals expected from both sides, the legal confrontation is anticipated to keep dragging for several years.
