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Zuckerberg Faces Tough Questions in Latest U.S. Antitrust Trial Testimony

Zuckerberg Faces Tough Questions in Latest U.S. Antitrust Trial Testimony

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg returned to the witness stand on April 14, 2025, testifying in a high-stakes U.S. antitrust trial accusing his company of stifling competition in social media and digital advertising.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by 46 states, alleges Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, valued at $1 billion and $19 billion, respectively, were designed to crush rivals, violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. Zuckerberg, 40, admitted under oath that Instagram’s superior photo-sharing features posed a “competitive threat,” but insisted the deals fostered innovation, citing a 300% user growth post-acquisition.

FTC lawyers pressed Zuckerberg on internal emails from 2012, where he described buying Instagram to “neutralize a potential competitor,” drawing gasps in the packed courtroom. Meta’s defense countered that TikTok, with 1.5 billion U.S. users in 2025, proves competition thrives, noting Meta’s $400 billion ad revenue faces pressure.

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The trial, now in its third week, follows a 2023 ruling forcing Meta to divest Oculus, costing $10 billion. A verdict, due by June, could mandate Instagram’s sale, impacting 3.8 billion global users. Legal analysts say the case, watched by 70% of Americans per Gallup, tests Big Tech’s dominance as Meta’s stock dipped 2% Monday.