Facebook’s parent company Meta is gearing up to face the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in what is shaping up to be a historic antitrust battle. Meta will face off against the FTC on Monday in a high-stakes antitrust trial that could result in the company divesting Instagram and WhatsApp.
The FTC argues that Meta used a “buy or bury” strategy to neutralize competitive threats and maintain monopoly power in the social media space. The trial began on April 14 in Washington, D.C., and is expected to last seven to eight weeks. Key Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram head Adam Mosseri, are expected to testify.
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Meta defends itself by citing strong competition from TikTok, YouTube, and Apple’s iMessage, and criticizes the FTC for challenging deals that were previously approved. This trial is one of the most significant antitrust cases in tech history and could set a major precedent for how regulators address mergers and market dominance in the digital economy.
According to media reports, the trial in Washington is expected to last weeks and centers around the FTC’s allegations that Meta monopolizes the personal social networking market. Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom and other current and former Meta executives are expected to testify, along with top brass from rivals TikTok, Snap and Google’s YouTube, according to a legal filing.
Companies under Meta: Overview
Meta Platforms Inc. owns and operates several major tech products and platforms, many of which are among the most widely used digital services globally. Here’s an overview of the key companies and services under Meta:
Facebook
The original social media platform launched in 2004. It’s the foundation of Meta and remains one of the largest networks globally, offering features like News Feed, Groups, Marketplace, and Facebook Watch.
Instagram
Acquired in 2012, Instagram is a photo- and video-sharing app that has become a core part of Meta’s ecosystem. It includes Stories, Reels (Meta’s TikTok competitor), and a growing e-commerce component.
WhatsApp
Acquired in 2014, WhatsApp is a globally dominant messaging app known for its simplicity and end-to-end encryption. It’s widely used for personal and business communication.
Messenger
Originally part of Facebook, Messenger became a standalone app in 2011. It supports messaging, voice and video calls, and is integrated with Facebook’s social features.
Threads
Launched in 2023 as a text-based platform closely integrated with Instagram. Threads is Meta’s answer to Twitter/X and focuses on public conversations and short-form updates.
Reality Labs
Meta’s research and development division focused on virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). It includes Meta Quest (formerly Oculus VR), Horizon Worlds, and upcoming AR devices.
Meta AI
An internal division focused on artificial intelligence. It powers content recommendations, moderation, translation, and cutting-edge AI research including large language models and computer vision.
Workplace
A communication and collaboration tool for businesses, similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams. It offers messaging, video conferencing, and group collaboration features tailored to enterprise environments.
CTRL-Labs
Acquired in 2019, this neural interface startup develops tech to control devices using brain signals, aligning with Meta’s long-term metaverse vision.
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Mapillary
A computer vision company focused on mapping and street-level imagery, acquired in 2020. It’s part of Meta’s efforts in AR and location-based services.
Meta’s strategy centers on connecting people through social platforms while investing heavily in immersive technologies to build the metaverse — a next-generation digital environment blending VR, AR, and AI. Let me know if you want a breakdown by revenue or user base.