The Morning After: What we learned from the FTC v. Meta antitrust trial (so far)

Engadget - May 9th, 2025
Open on Engadget

The highly anticipated FTC trial against Meta, centered around its acquisition of Instagram, is underway. The trial began with testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and is expected to last several weeks. The FTC claims Zuckerberg acquired Instagram in 2012 to neutralize it as a competitor, a notion supported by Instagram's cofounder and former CEO Kevin Systrom. Systrom testified that Zuckerberg viewed Instagram as a threat to Facebook's growth and deliberately withheld resources. The acquisition's $1 billion price tag, for an app with no revenue and few employees, was considered excessive even by former COO Sheryl Sandberg.

The trial's revelations highlight broader implications for Meta's business practices and competitive strategies. The proceedings delve into Meta's views on competitors like TikTok and explore the company's internal strategies, such as considering drastic measures to boost user engagement. The trial's outcome could significantly impact Meta's operations and set a precedent for future tech acquisitions and antitrust regulations, marking a pivotal moment in the tech industry’s regulatory landscape.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing FTC v. Meta antitrust trial, accurately capturing key elements such as the focus on Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. It effectively balances factual reporting with engaging narratives, although it could benefit from more explicit sourcing and transparency in its claims.

The article's timeliness and relevance to public interest are strong points, as it addresses a current event with significant implications for the tech industry and consumer rights. By highlighting key testimonies and strategic considerations, it contributes to ongoing debates about market power and regulation.

While the article is well-written and accessible, it could enhance engagement and impact by including more diverse perspectives and interactive elements. Overall, it is a valuable contribution to discussions about technology and regulation, offering insights into a high-profile legal case with broad implications.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the ongoing FTC v. Meta antitrust trial, reflecting factual elements such as the trial's focus on Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. It correctly notes key testimonies, like those of Mark Zuckerberg and Kevin Systrom, and highlights significant points such as the perceived threat Instagram posed to Facebook, which aligns with the factual background of the case.

The mention of Sheryl Sandberg's opinion on the Instagram acquisition price and the strategic considerations of TikTok as a competitor are also accurately depicted and supported by available sources. The story's depiction of Zuckerberg's consideration of deleting users' friend lists to boost engagement is a nuanced point that aligns with internal discussions reported in the trial.

However, some claims, such as the exact nature of Systrom's testimony or the specific strategic discussions within Meta, could benefit from more direct sourcing or quotes to enhance verifiability. Overall, the story maintains a high level of factual accuracy and is largely supported by external sources.

7
Balance

The story provides a balanced view by presenting both the FTC's allegations and Meta's defense. It discusses the government's perspective on the acquisitions being anticompetitive and Meta's counterarguments about fostering growth and competition.

However, the story leans slightly towards emphasizing the FTC's allegations, with more detailed coverage of Zuckerberg's and Systrom's testimonies against Meta. It could improve balance by including more on Meta's defense strategies and broader industry context.

The narrative could benefit from additional perspectives, such as legal expert opinions or insights from other stakeholders, to provide a more rounded view of the trial's implications.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear, concise manner. It effectively summarizes the key points of the FTC v. Meta trial, making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with the intricacies of antitrust law.

The language is straightforward and avoids unnecessary jargon, which aids in comprehension. The logical flow of the narrative helps readers follow the progression of the trial and understand the main issues at stake.

While the article is generally clear, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of complex legal concepts or industry-specific terms to ensure all readers fully grasp the implications of the trial.

6
Source quality

The story references high-quality sources, including direct testimonies from key figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Kevin Systrom, which adds credibility. However, it lacks explicit citations or direct quotes from these sources, which would strengthen its reliability.

The reliance on internal exchanges, such as Sandberg's opinion on the Instagram acquisition price, suggests access to credible information, but the lack of detailed attribution weakens source transparency. Including more direct references to court documents or official statements could enhance source quality.

Overall, the story's source quality is solid but could benefit from improved attribution and a broader range of authoritative sources to support its claims.

5
Transparency

The article provides a general overview of the FTC v. Meta trial but lacks detailed transparency regarding its sources and the basis for its claims. While it references testimonies and internal discussions, it does not clearly disclose how this information was obtained or verified.

There is minimal explanation of the methodology behind the reporting, and the lack of direct quotes or citations from primary sources reduces transparency. This could lead readers to question the depth of the reporting or the authenticity of the claims made.

Improving transparency by including more explicit sourcing and context for the information presented would enhance the article's credibility and reader trust.

Sources

  1. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/191-0134-facebook-inc-ftc-v-ftc-v-meta-platforms-inc
  2. https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/what-weve-learned-from-ftc-v-meta-antitrust-trial-162048138.html
  3. https://www.bestlawfirms.com/articles/meta-trial-law-firm-antitrust-bellwether-ftc-kellogg-hansen/6604
  4. https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/04/17/metas-antitrust-trial-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-case-and-zuckerbergs-testimony
  5. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-antitrust-trial-instagram-whatsapp-social-media-zuckerberg-trump-2025-4