WHM News (5/13/25): FTC v. Meta, Internal Emails, Choking Instagram, A Bad Breakup, and More.

In this in-depth first installment of a special three-part series, WHM News takes you inside the federal courtroom where the future of Meta — and the digital economy — hangs in the balance.Host Dr. Kala Wilson Hampton breaks down the historic FTC v. Meta antitrust trial, where the U.S. government is seeking to force the breakup of Mark Zuckerberg’s $1.4 trillion empire by undoing the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. From Zuckerberg’s 13-hour testimony to insider accounts from Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom, this episode dissects the legal, strategic, and political stakes of the most aggressive tech monopoly case in decades.You’ll hear why this trial matters, what’s at stake for users and competitors, and how the arguments from both the FTC and Meta could shape the future of antitrust law in digital markets. Along the way, Dr. Hampton pulls back the curtain on Silicon Valley’s acquisition playbook, the eerie parallels to the AT&T breakup, and the evolving power dynamics between Big Tech, regulators, and the economy.This episode covers:Zuckerberg’s defense of the Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitionsInternal emails revealing Meta’s real motivesInstagram’s growth — and suppression — under FacebookWhat Kevin Systrom revealed on the standSnap and TikTok’s role as competitive threatsWhy this case signals a broader shift in U.S. antitrust enforcementStay tuned for Part 2, where we unpack the trial’s economic implications, expert witness analysis, and Meta’s defense strategy.Questions, thoughts, or feedback? Email us at [email protected] or text the show. We love hearing from you.Chapters list00:00 Welcome Back and Updates01:50 Evolving Business Landscape04:48 The FTC vs. Meta Trial Overview08:41 Courtroom Dynamics and Market Definitions14:14 Zuckerberg Takes the Stand21:59 Instagram's Co-Founder Testifies35:59 Instagram's Independence and Growth Potential41:58 The Instagram Skirmish: Tensions with Facebook50:56 The Impact of Competition: Snapchat and TikTok59:33 Meta's Competitive Tactics and Market Dynamics01:08:02 The Economic Implications of the Antitrust TrialSend us Fan MailSupport the show