Meta Platforms Inc., formerly Facebook, is facing a pivotal antitrust trial brought by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the possibility of being forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC argues that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were “killer acquisitions” that eliminated potential competitors and harmed consumer choice. The agency will argue that these deals resulted in degraded app quality, more intrusive ads, and weaker privacy protections.

The trial, taking place before US District Judge James Boasberg in Washington, threatens to unravel years of integration across Meta’s platforms. The FTC’s case hinges on defining the relevant market — what it terms “personal social networking services” — and proving Meta’s dominance in it. According to the agency, competitors like Snapchat and MeWe remain marginal, and platforms like TikTok and YouTube are not true alternatives within this space.

Meta has defended the acquisitions as beneficial for innovation and user experience, and plans to argue that intense competition from platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) proves there is no monopoly. The trial will feature testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg, along with internal communications, including Zuckerberg’s now-famous quote: “It is better to buy than compete.”

The trial also has political undertones. Zuckerberg has reportedly lobbied former President Donald Trump to intercede, given the current FTC leadership was reshaped by Trump’s removal of Democratic commissioners. While experts doubt Trump will directly intervene before the trial concludes, political pressure may influence any appeal or settlement.

This case is one of several high-profile antitrust actions targeting Big Tech. Just upstairs from Boasberg’s courtroom, Google is also defending against a breakup attempt. The Meta trial could take years to fully resolve, especially if it moves into a second phase on remedies. Meanwhile, Meta is also facing separate FTC litigation over privacy violations and a related shareholder lawsuit in Delaware.

Market analysts expect a settlement as a more likely outcome than a full breakup, but the uncertainty continues to weigh on Meta’s stock and long-term strategy.