Mark Zuckerberg predicted Meta's antitrust trial in a 2018 email

Engadget - Apr 15th, 2025
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The Federal Trade Commission's antitrust trial against Meta, initiated from a 2020 lawsuit, has brought to light past discussions by CEO Mark Zuckerberg on potentially spinning off Instagram. This revelation emerged from an email thread dated 2018, where Zuckerberg suggested that separating Instagram might achieve several important objectives amid growing calls to break up large tech companies. Zuckerberg's testimony, now in its second day, is pivotal as the FTC challenges Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, claiming they hinder competition. If successful, the FTC may push for Meta to divest one or both apps.

The trial underscores broader concerns over big tech's influence and market control, raising questions about the future structure of Meta and similar giants. Zuckerberg defended the Instagram acquisition as a strategic move born from a build-vs-buy analysis, emphasizing the difficulties in developing successful apps internally. Additionally, documents revealed Zuckerberg's past directives to block certain Asian competitors from Facebook advertising, highlighting competitive tensions. The outcome of this trial could set a precedent for tech industry regulations and corporate breakups, affecting how tech giants operate moving forward.

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RATING

7.4
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing antitrust trial involving Meta and the FTC, covering key aspects such as Zuckerberg's 2018 email, the FTC's allegations, and the potential implications for the tech industry. It is well-researched and relies on reputable sources, although it could benefit from more direct attribution and a broader range of perspectives. The article is timely and relevant, addressing a topic of significant public interest with potential implications for consumers and the tech industry. While the article is clear and engaging, it could enhance its impact by including more in-depth analysis and expert commentary. Overall, it is a strong piece of journalism that effectively informs readers about a complex and evolving legal case.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the key aspects of the antitrust trial involving Meta and the FTC, including the historical context of Zuckerberg's 2018 email and the FTC's accusations. The claim about Zuckerberg's 2018 email discussing the potential spin-out of Instagram is supported by credible sources like CNBC and The New York Times. The article correctly mentions the acquisition prices of Instagram and WhatsApp, which are well-documented facts. However, some details, such as the exact statements made by Zuckerberg during the trial and the existence of certain emails, require further verification. Overall, the article is mostly factual and precise, with minor areas needing additional verification.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the ongoing antitrust trial by including perspectives from both the FTC and Meta. It outlines the FTC's arguments against Meta's acquisitions and provides Zuckerberg's defense during his testimony. However, the article could benefit from including more perspectives, such as expert opinions on antitrust issues or reactions from industry analysts. While it does a good job of representing the primary sides involved, it lacks a broader range of viewpoints that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a clear and logical manner. It uses straightforward language to explain complex legal and business concepts, making it accessible to a general audience. The chronological order of events helps readers understand the progression of the antitrust trial and Zuckerberg's involvement. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context on the implications of the trial and the potential outcomes for Meta and the tech industry.

8
Source quality

The article relies on reputable sources such as CNBC and The New York Times for its information, which lends credibility to its claims. These sources are known for their journalistic standards and reliability. However, the article does not directly quote these sources or provide links to the original reports, which would enhance its credibility further. Overall, the source quality is strong, but could be improved with more direct attribution and access to primary documents.

6
Transparency

The article provides a good amount of context regarding the antitrust trial, including the origins of the FTC's lawsuit and the background of Meta's acquisitions. However, it lacks transparency in terms of its sources, as it does not provide direct links or detailed attributions to the reports it references. Additionally, there is no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest or methodology used in gathering the information. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the article's credibility and trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meta-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-ftc-antitrust-trial/
  2. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/meta-antitrust-trial-ftc-boasberg/
  3. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-04-15/behind-the-landmark-trial-that-could-reshape-metas-future-with-instagram-what-to-know
  4. https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/mark-zuckerberg-predicted-metas-antitrust-trial-in-a-2018-email-205719635.html