Srinagar, April 15 -- Washington - Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified Monday in a pivotal U.S. antitrust trial that could force his company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accuses Meta of buying out emerging competitors instead of competing fairly, marking one of the most consequential tech trials in recent history.

The FTC argues that Facebook's $1 billion purchase of Instagram in 2012 and its $19 billion acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014 were strategic moves to eliminate future threats. In opening arguments, FTC lawyer Daniel Matheson said Meta "decided that competition is too hard and it would be easier to buy out their rivals."

Meta's defense, led by attorney Mark Hansen, claimed the acquisitions h...