Morten Lyhne Petersen
A Potential Turning Point for Big Tech
Others are reading now
A high-profile lawsuit against tech giant Meta has just begun in Washington D.C., and it could lead to historic consequences. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is aiming to force Meta to sell both Instagram and WhatsApp.
Historic Potential
Experts describe the case as a potential breakthrough for antitrust regulation in the United States. If Meta is found guilty, it could mark a milestone in the effort to curb the dominance of tech giants.
Roots in 2012
It all began when Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012. Two years later, it purchased WhatsApp. At the time, the acquisitions attracted little attention, but that changed in 2020 when the FTC under President Trump filed a lawsuit against Meta.
The Accusation Against Meta
Also read
The Legal Framework
The case is based on U.S. antitrust laws, which are designed to prevent monopolies and anti-competitive mergers. The key question is whether Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp actually harmed competition.
Court Gave the Green Light
The lawsuit was initially dismissed in 2021, but the FTC revised its complaint the following year with more detailed arguments. This convinced the judge to allow the case to proceed. Meta has since tried to get it dismissed—without success.
A Changing Market
Proving that tech giants acquire companies to avoid competition is notoriously difficult. According to expert Astrid Haug, the intent behind such acquisitions is crucial—but it remains unclear how the tech market is even defined today.
What Constitutes a Monopoly Today?
Is it about chat messaging, news feeds, or the internet as a whole? The case raises the broader question of how to measure power and competition in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Possible Impact on Users
If Meta is forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp, it’s unlikely to significantly affect users’ day-to-day experience. However, it might become harder to transfer data between platforms, and personal information could end up being spread across multiple services.
Political Influence
Mark Zuckerberg has cultivated close ties with Donald Trump, which could have indirect implications for the case. Although the lawsuit began during Trump’s first term, it remains unclear what role he may play in the future.
A Rare Case
While antitrust actions against tech giants are not new, they rarely lead to actual divestitures. That makes this case especially notable—and its implications could extend well beyond Meta.
Google Could Be Next
Authorities are also eyeing Google, which may face a similar fate. There is speculation that the company could be forced to sell its Chrome browser if it’s found to be harming competition in the search engine market.
