U.S. Big Drama: Mark Zuckerberg Considered Spinning Off Instagram Amid Antitrust Fears, Trial Documents Reveal
A bombshell revelation shook the tech and legal worlds on Tuesday as court documents U.S. Big Drama: Mark Zuckerberg Considered Spinning Off Instagram Amid Antitrust Fears, Trial Documents Revealpresented at a high-stakes antitrust trial in Washington, D.C., revealed that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2025. The move, which was never publicly disclosed until now, was reportedly a strategic consideration in anticipation of escalating scrutiny from U.S. regulators over Meta’s dominance in the social media landscape.
The trial, part of the ongoing federal case against Meta Platforms Inc. over alleged monopolistic behavior, has already drawn national attention. But the newly revealed document has added fuel to the fire, hinting that even Zuckerberg himself foresaw the potential need to break up parts of his empire to avoid harsher consequences.
According to the internal communication presented during the hearing, Zuckerberg and senior executives held multiple discussions throughout 2024 about whether spinning off Instagram could help alleviate antitrust pressures without severely damaging the company’s financial performance. One document, dated December 2024, outlined a preliminary plan for a standalone Instagram IPO, estimating its independent valuation at over $150 billion.
“This is something we may need to keep in our back pocket,” Zuckerberg reportedly wrote in a private memo. “The regulatory environment is shifting quickly, and we need to be proactive in how we defend our platforms while preserving shareholder value.”
Instagram, which Meta acquired in 2012 for just $1 billion, has grown into one of the most powerful social media platforms in the world. With over two billion monthly users, the app has become a critical component of Meta’s ecosystem, especially among younger demographics. Its integration with Facebook’s ad targeting infrastructure and data-sharing capabilities has been a focal point of antitrust concerns.
Legal experts say the fact that Meta considered such a drastic move internally could be seen as an admission of how vulnerable the company felt amid regulatory threats.
“If Meta is exploring divestiture options on its own, it strengthens the government’s case that the company is too powerful and knows it,” said Lina Maxwell, a professor of technology law at Georgetown University.
Meta’s legal team quickly attempted to downplay the revelation, arguing that internal scenario planning is standard practice for any large corporation navigating a volatile regulatory climate. “This was merely part of a broader strategic review,” one attorney said. “It was never a formal proposal or plan.”
Still, the timing is damning. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general have ramped up efforts to crack down on Big Tech consolidation, and Instagram has long been at the center of those concerns. If the company was seriously exploring a spin-off to avoid litigation or regulatory penalties, it could bolster claims that Meta was aware of its anti-competitive positioning.
Public reaction to the trial’s revelations was swift. Social media lit up with users, analysts, and politicians debating the implications. Some critics applauded the idea of an Instagram spin-off, calling it long overdue. Others questioned whether the move would truly create more competition or simply shift power around.
For now, Meta remains intact, but this trial—and the secrets it’s uncovering—could mark a turning point in the future of tech regulation and the structure of one of the world’s most i
nfluential companies.
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