This episode explores the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) antitrust lawsuit against Meta, focusing on the acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp. Against the backdrop of a broader bipartisan movement scrutinizing big tech, the FTC alleges Meta established a monopoly through unlawful conduct, specifically citing the acquisitions as attempts to neutralize competitors. More significantly, the episode details Meta's attempts to settle the lawsuit with a $450 million offer, deemed "delusional" by the FTC's former chair, Lina Khan, and their parallel efforts to gain favor with the Trump administration. For instance, Zuckerberg's outreach to Trump after a shooting incident and Meta's substantial donation to his inauguration are highlighted. Ultimately, despite these efforts, the trial proceeded, with Zuckerberg testifying extensively to defend Meta's actions, arguing the acquisitions aimed at improving, not eliminating, competition. The episode concludes by emphasizing the significant implications of the case, given Meta's central role in communication and data access, and the uncertainty surrounding the timeline and outcome of the trial.
