**Potentially Groundbreaking Antitrust Case Against Meta Begins**

As the FTC challenges Meta's monopoly claims, industry experts weigh the implications on consumer welfare and competition.

In Washington, a transformative antitrust trial initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, commenced on Monday. The government agency asserts that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 were strategies designed to eliminate competition and cement a monopoly in the social media sphere. Notably, while the FTC initially approved these mergers, it is now poised to contest their long-term impact on market dynamics.

Should the FTC prevail, the outcome could mandate Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to divest both platforms. Meta, confident in its defense, plans to argue that the integration of Instagram has enhanced user experiences. Experts like Vanderbilt Law School's Professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth suggest that internal communications from Zuckerberg, which advocate for acquisitions over competition, may serve as crucial evidence against the company.

As the trial unfolds, expectations indicate Zuckerberg, alongside former COO Sheryl Sandberg, will provide testimony, suggesting the proceedings may extend for several weeks. This case, titled FTC v Meta, carries significant political undertones, having originated during Donald Trump's presidency but undergoing heightened scrutiny during his potential second term. Reports have emerged indicating Zuckerberg's personal lobbying efforts to urge Trump to dismiss the case, although Meta in official statements dismisses the FTC's legal actions as lacking in current relevance.

Political machinations are further complicated by internal FTC dynamics, particularly the recent ousting of two Democratic commissioners, which has raised concerns about potential political interference in the case. Amid speculation regarding Zuckerberg's lobbying, the FTC's future remains uncertain, with commissioners concerned about maintaining independence against executive pressures.

The antitrust case follows the unfolding of another notable trial, USA v Google, which is currently addressing Google's monopoly in online search. Comparative analysis indicates that while both cases aim to tackle monopolistic practices, Meta's trial could face more significant challenges due to greater competition in the personal network services sector.

Analysts predict that proving Meta's alleged monopolistic behaviors will be more complex than in the Google case, as multiple social media platforms compete for user engagement. As the trial progresses, all eyes will be on whether the FTC can substantiate its claims that the mergers have detrimentally affected competition and consumer choice in the evolving digital landscape.