Dar es Salaam, April 15 -- WASHINGTON: Social media giant Meta is facing trial in Washington over allegations it has monopolized social media platforms by buying up Instagram and WhatsApp. The lawsuit could remain open for years.

An antitrust trial of US social media giant Meta began in a Washington federal court on Monday over allegations that the company bought the platforms Instagram and Whatsapp to illegally eliminate competition.

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) wants Meta, which also owns Facebook, to reverse the acquisitions made more than a decade ago.

However, with appeals likely from both sides, the trial is expected to drag on for years.

In opening statements, FTC attorney Daniel Math...