ETtech Explainer: Why the US government wants to break up Meta

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is facing its most serious legal challenge yet — one that could force it to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched a major antitrust case against Meta, accusing it of buying rivals to kill off competition and build a social media monopoly.

This case, years in the making, has now gone to trial. Meta’s chief, Mark Zuckerberg, has taken the stand, defending the company’s acquisitions and strategy.

When did it all start?

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