JAKARTA Meta Platforms, Facebook's parent company, is facing an important hearing in Washington starting this Monday April 14 in a case accusing the company of forming an illegal monopoly in the social media sector by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The lawsuit was filed by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and has the potential to force Meta to dissolve or sell its business parts.
Instagram's acquisition in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 saw the FTC as Meta's attempt to get rid of competitors potentially threatening Facebook's dominance in connecting users with family and friends. This case was first filed in 2020 during the US President Donald Trump's first administration.
The trial is expected to last until July and is considered a major test of the current Trump administration's commitment to cracking down on the dominance of the tech giant. If the FTC wins, there will be a follow-up hearing to determine whether actions such as Instagram sales or WhatsApp will be effective in restoring competition.
The Threat Of Technology Investment
Head of the Meta Law Division, Jennifer Newstead, called the case weak and could hinder investment in the technology sector. In her blog, she wrote, "It is absurd that the FTC wants to dissolve a large American company when the government is actually trying to save China's TikTok."
Meta is said to generate about half of the ad revenue in the US from Instagram. According to research firm eMarketer, Instagram is estimated to generate revenue of US$37.13 billion by 2025, making it the highest per user revenue app compared to other platforms.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify in this trial. He will be questioned about an old email showing his intention to acquire Instagram in order to "implaint" threats to Facebook, as well as concerns that WhatsApp could grow into a competing social network.
Meta argues that the acquisition actually benefits users and is now facing stiff competition from ByteDance's TikTok, Google's YouTube, and Apple's messaging apps.
SEE ALSO:
-
| TEKNOLOGI
Katy Perry Siap Meluncur ke Ruang Angkasa Lewat Misi NS-31 Blue Origin
14 April 2025, 18:35 -
| TEKNOLOGI
Dominator Esports Mempertahankan Gelar Juara di Battle of Stars Season 3
14 April 2025, 18:10
FTC Claims Meta Controls Private Social Platform
The FTC argues Meta is monopolizing a sharing platform with friends and family, where its main competitors are Snapchat and MeWe, a small privacy-based app. Platforms like X (Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit are considered incomparable because their focus is on public broadcasts to wide audiences based on interest.
US District Judge James Boasberg previously said the FTC had enough evidence to continue the case, but still faced a "difficult question" whether the claim would hold in the trial process.
Although WhatsApp hasn't made much revenue yet, it has the highest number of daily users. Meta is currently increasing monetization through services such as business chatbots. Zuckerberg insists that "business messaging" could be the main driver of the company's next growth.
This case is one of five major lawsuits targeting tech giants. Amazon and Apple are also being sued, while Google is facing two major cases, including a hearing that will start next week over the government's attempt to force Google to sell its Chrome browser.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
