Zuckerberg on Trial: Shocking Facebook Breakup Case Starts Monday

The long-awaited FTC antitrust trial against Meta begins Monday, putting Mark Zuckerberg in the hot seat and potentially reshaping the future of social media as we know it.

The Trial That Could Break Up Facebook

Starting Monday, April 14, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission’s landmark antitrust trial against Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) begins in a Washington, DC federal court. This case represents the culmination of years of scrutiny over Meta’s acquisition strategy and business practices.

The stakes couldn’t be higher: if successful, the FTC’s case could force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, fundamentally restructuring Mark Zuckerberg’s social media empire and potentially reshaping the entire social media landscape.

This isn’t just another tech trial. It’s the most significant attempt yet to apply century-old antitrust laws to the digital economy, addressing concerns about monopoly power in the social media space that affects billions of users worldwide.

Zuckerberg’s “Better to Buy Than Compete” Philosophy

At the heart of the FTC’s case are Mark Zuckerberg’s own words from emails and messages that reveal his strategic thinking. As smartphones began threatening Facebook’s dominance around 2011, Zuckerberg recognized the existential challenge posed by new mobile-first applications.

In internal communications cited by the FTC, Zuckerberg acknowledged the power of network effects in social products, making them “difficult for others to supplant.” He noted that even if Facebook built a better photo app than Instagram, it would be “harder as long as Instagram keeps running as a product.”

Get Free Access to Vexhub Here

His solution? Acquisition. In 2012, Facebook purchased Instagram for $1 billion. Two years later, it acquired WhatsApp for a staggering $19 billion. Both deals received regulatory approval at the time.

Zuckerberg’s philosophy was summed up in a message to a colleague: “it is better to buy than compete.” This statement, alongside other internal communications, now forms crucial evidence in the FTC’s case against Meta.

How Meta Tried to Avoid Trial

Meta’s approach to fighting this case extends well beyond conventional legal strategies. The company has:

Attempted to have FTC Chair Lina Khan removed from the case over alleged conflicts of interest (unsuccessfully)
Reportedly met with President Trump three times during his second term, as recently as last week, in what the Wall Street Journal characterized as efforts to stave off trial
Donated $1 million toward President Trump’s inauguration, which Zuckerberg attended in a prominent row of tech billionaires
Hired Mark Hansen as lead counsel—notably, Hansen once employed Chief Judge James E. Boasberg, who will preside over the trial

These actions suggest Meta is pursuing strategies that have little to do with the merits of the FTC’s case. Rather than accepting the rule of law, Meta appears to be leveraging its considerable resources and connections to influence the outcome through other means.

Understanding the FTC’s Case

The FTC’s case has followed a winding path to reach trial nearly five years after it was initially filed during the first Trump administration with a bipartisan 3-2 vote.

After an initial dismissal for insufficient market share details, the FTC filed an amended complaint in September 2021 with new market data. While some claims about Meta’s developer restrictions were dismissed, the core allegations about the anticompetitive nature of the Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions survived Meta’s motion to dismiss.

Recent political developments added further complications when President Trump attempted to remove the Commission’s two Democratic appointees, potentially setting up a Supreme Court review of the President’s authority to fire FTC commissioners. Despite this turmoil, the remaining Republican commissioners have shown no interest in withdrawing the case.

To win, the FTC must prove that:

Meta has monopoly power in a relevant market
Its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp helped maintain that monopoly through means other than competition on the merits

What Makes This Case So Significant?

This trial isn’t just about Meta—it represents a critical test of whether antitrust laws can effectively regulate dominant digital platforms. Previous antitrust trials against Google have resulted in one finding of illegal monopolization in online search, with another decision on Google’s ad tech business pending.

The case also brings into focus the consequences of allowing key acquisitions that consolidate market power. Had Instagram and WhatsApp remained independent, they might have provided meaningful competition to Facebook, potentially leading to better products and more privacy protections for users.

Congressional testimony from Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams has further intensified scrutiny, with Senator Josh Hawley suggesting Zuckerberg may have perjured himself in previous congressional appearances, and Senator Chuck Grassley praising the whistleblower for coming forward.

The Crucial Market Definition Battle

A central question in the trial will be how to define the relevant market. The FTC proposes that Meta holds monopoly power in “Personal Social Networking Services” (PSN) in the United States—a market differentiated by its social purpose of connecting with family and friends.

Under this definition, the PSN market includes Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and MeWe, but excludes platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and YouTube. Meta, unsurprisingly, disputes this narrow definition and argues that these other platforms should be included—which would diminish Meta’s market share and weaken the FTC’s monopoly claim.

This debate isn’t just semantic—it’s fundamental to the case. As Zuckerberg himself noted in a 2012 chat while considering whether to buy Instagram: “Instagram can hurt us meaningfully without becoming a huge business.”

Legal precedent supports focusing on how consumers actually use these services rather than superficial similarities in features. Two platforms may both have profiles, feeds, and messaging capabilities, but that doesn’t mean users treat them as interchangeable. How many people announce their engagement on LinkedIn or list professional skills on Facebook?

From Social Revolution to “Enshittification”

In his idealistic framing, Zuckerberg has positioned Facebook as a solution to declining social infrastructure, echoing themes from Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone.” He’s suggested Meta’s platforms strengthen communities by helping people connect online and offline.

But reality has diverged from this vision. Meta has faced numerous controversies, including:

A record $5 billion FTC privacy settlement in 2019
Lawsuits from 34+ state attorneys general over alleged harm to young users
Numerous class actions related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal

Tech critic Cory Doctorow describes platforms like Meta as following a three-phase lifecycle he calls “enshittification”:

Initially attract users, sometimes subsidizing them
Leverage that user base to attract developers or advertisers
Once network effects create a “competitive moat,” degrade quality for users to increase revenue

Evidence of this degradation can be seen in the increasing “ad load” on Meta’s platforms—the percentage of content that consists of advertising. During court demonstrations, Instagram head Adam Mosseri repeatedly acknowledged “that’s an ad” while scrolling through the app.

The FTC argues that this increased ad load represents a quality decrease that harms users—functionally equivalent to a price increase in traditional antitrust analysis.

Meta’s Legal Strategy: Beyond the Merits

Meta’s approach to the trial has raised eyebrows. During a “technology tutorial” for Chief Judge Boasberg (who admitted he had never used Facebook or Instagram), Meta subtly inserted advocacy into what should have been a neutral explanation of how social media works.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri presented a highly produced slideshow showcasing not just Meta’s apps but also platforms that Meta claims are competitors. The presentation ended with charts showing when various platforms introduced similar features—setting up Meta’s market definition arguments from the start.

Meta has also fought to limit public access to evidence. After the tutorial, Meta’s representatives refused to share the presentation electronically with media, despite having just shown it on a big screen in open court. The company has also argued that only portions of exhibits shown in court should be accessible to the press and public—a position the court rejected after The New York Times intervened.

These tactics suggest a company that may not feel confident about its case on the merits and is seeking alternative ways to influence the outcome or control the narrative.

What to Expect During the Trial

The trial will run Mondays through Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT, starting April 14 and potentially continuing into July. Chief Judge Boasberg has reserved 37 days for proceedings.

Key trial dates include April 14-17, 21-24, 28-30; May 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 27-28; June 2-5, 12, 16, 26, 30; and July 1-3.

The parties have 68 witnesses on their “will call” lists, including 8 experts for the FTC and 9 for Meta. Zuckerberg himself is scheduled for 7 hours of testimony—more than any other witness.

Other notable witnesses include:

Sheryl Sandberg (former Meta COO)
Adam Mosseri (head of Instagram)
Kevin Systrom (Instagram co-founder)

Third-party witnesses may come from Apple, Google, TikTok, X Corp. (formerly Twitter), Reddit, Pinterest, Snap, Discord, LinkedIn/Microsoft, YouTube, and many others—highlighting the interconnected nature of the tech ecosystem.

Key Players to Watch

Mark Zuckerberg: Meta’s founder and CEO will be the star witness. His emails and messages form crucial evidence in the FTC’s case, and his testimony could significantly impact the outcome.

Chief Judge James E. Boasberg: The “Jeb” Boasberg will decide this bench trial. A Yale basketball player turned federal judge, Boasberg previously worked for Meta’s lead lawyer Mark Hansen.

C. Scott Hemphill: The FTC’s lead economist expert will play a vital role in establishing the relevant market and demonstrating anticompetitive effects.

Dennis W. Carlton: Meta’s lead economist will counter the FTC’s market definition and argue that Meta’s acquisitions haven’t harmed competition.

Adam Mosseri: Instagram’s head has already built rapport with the judge during tech tutorials and will be key to Meta’s defense of the Instagram acquisition.

Timeline and Potential Outcomes

If the FTC prevails, potential remedies could include:

Forcing Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp
Imposing restrictions on future acquisitions
Requiring interoperability between Meta’s platforms and competitors

A Meta victory would validate its acquisition strategy and potentially make future tech antitrust cases more difficult for regulators.

Either way, appeals are likely, potentially taking the case to the Supreme Court and extending the final resolution by years.

Why This Trial Matters for Everyone

Beyond the technical legal questions, this trial addresses fundamental issues about power in the digital age:

Can antitrust laws effectively regulate tech platforms?
Should companies be allowed to buy potential competitors before they become threats?
What happens when economic power translates into political influence?
How do we ensure that markets remain competitive in the age of network effects?

As Meta fights to preserve its social media empire, the outcome will shape not just the future of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, but potentially the structure and governance of the entire digital economy.

This isn’t just about breaking up a company—it’s about determining whether the rule of law applies equally to everyone, even the most powerful tech companies and their billionaire founders.

This article covers the FTC v. Meta trial (Case No. 1:20-cv-03590-JEB, D.D.C.). For daily updates and in-depth coverage directly from the courtroom, follow our specialized trial reporting.

Last updated: April 10, 2025

Other Ways We Can Help Your Business:

🔹 Stay Ahead with Weekly Insights – Get expert tips, guides, and industry news straight to your inbox. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Here

🔹 Level Up Your Earnings – Grab your free copy of “Side Hustles Guide for Beginners” and start building your income streams. Download Now

AI Discoveries