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TBD | The U.S. vs Meta
Apr 18, 2025
Paresh Dave, a senior writer at WIRED, dives deep into the intense antitrust trial facing Meta. He discusses the historical context of Facebook's bold acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, outlining the strategic motivations behind these moves. The conversation highlights the FTC's case that could redefine Meta's future, potentially breaking it up as a monopoly. Paresh also touches on the broader implications for big tech, shedding light on how this legal battle may influence market dynamics and future acquisitions across the industry.
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Quick takeaways
- The FTC's trial against Meta challenges the legality of its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially reshaping tech monopolies.
- If Meta loses, it may face significant consequences, including divestment of key platforms that contribute heavily to its ad revenue.
Deep dives
The Significance of Meta's Acquisitions
In 2012, Facebook, now known as Meta, acquired Instagram for approximately $1 billion and followed up with the acquisition of WhatsApp for around $19 billion two years later. These purchases were part of a strategy to bolster Facebook's dominance in the social media landscape, particularly as it faced stiff competition and the need to transition to mobile. At the time, the acquisitions were largely seen as standard practice within Silicon Valley, with companies like Apple and Google also engaging in similar buyouts to secure their positions. However, current antitrust scrutiny raises questions about whether these moves contributed to creating an illegal monopoly by eliminating competition.
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