Mark Zuckerberg’s emails from over a decade ago have emerged as key evidence in the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust case against Meta. During a 10-hour testimony, FTC lawyer Daniel Matheson highlighted Zuckerberg’s concerns about future regulations and competition from rivals like Instagram and WhatsApp. In a 2012 email, Zuckerberg expressed anxiety over the potential hindrance of antitrust regulations to Meta’s growth.
Zuckerberg acknowledged that many companies improve performance after breaking up and noted that the perceived synergies from acquisitions might be overstated. The trial’s proceedings, which could last up to eight weeks, featured Zuckerberg and former COO Cheryl Sandberg as initial witnesses. In his emails, Zuckerberg detailed the strategic necessity of acquiring Instagram for $1 billion, as it was rapidly outpacing Facebook in growth.
Legal experts suggest that if the FTC prevails, Meta may be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, despite facing challenges in proving that these acquisitions harmed competition. Zuckerberg’s past concerns highlight a broader unease about competition within the tech landscape, not just from direct rivals but also from emerging social networks. Overall, the communications reveal Zuckerberg’s strategic mindset amid escalating competition and regulatory scrutiny.
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