The testimony of Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri could make or break the future of technology giant Meta. AP
The testimony of Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri could make or break the future of technology giant Meta. AP
The testimony of Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri could make or break the future of technology giant Meta. AP
The testimony of Instagram and Threads boss Adam Mosseri could make or break the future of technology giant Meta. AP

Meta FTC trial: why Adam Mosseri Instagram testimony could prove pivotal


Cody Combs
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Instagram head Adam Mosseri is scheduled to provide potentially pivotal testimony this week as Meta defends itself against the Federal Trade Commission in a closely watched antitrust trial.

The FTC is accusing Meta of unfairly boxing out competition in a case that may force the California-based company to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp.

Mr Mosseri is scheduled to take the witness box on May 8. The date was set after brief controversy the day before as FTC and Meta lawyers sparred over the timeline for witnesses to be called.

FTC lawyer Daniel Matheson accused Meta of making last-minute adjustments.

The FTC told Judge James Boasberg there was an agreement to allow some “spillover time” for the questioning and cross examination of Mr Mosseri stretching into early next week, but that Meta suddenly adjusted his schedule.

“They now claim for the first time last night that there’s a blackout date on Monday,” said Mr Matheson, referring to Meta's adjusting witness list schedules based on the availability of Mr Mosseri.

“We work very hard to accommodate to them for all their schedules.”

The dates of the Instagram boss's court appearance may seem trivial, but Mr Mosseri and Instagram represent a significant portion of the FTC's case against Meta.

Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram at Meta Platforms Inc, is seen exiting federal court several weeks ago in Washington amid the company's preparations to defend itself against the FTC. Bloomberg
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram at Meta Platforms Inc, is seen exiting federal court several weeks ago in Washington amid the company's preparations to defend itself against the FTC. Bloomberg

Besides Meta's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, Mr Mosseri, who is in charge of both Instagram and Threads, has become one of the most prominent figures in the Meta universe.

He frequently hosts question-and-answer sessions on Instagram, offering tips and tricks of how to get the most from the photo and video sharing platform.

Meta bought Instagram in 2012 for approximately $1 billion. That purchase, along with a later acquisition of WhatsApp are the biggest elements to the FTC's accusations that Meta unfairly chose to snuff out rival companies, rather than compete with them in the marketplace.

The FTC is trying to convince Judge Boasberg that Meta's alleged anticompetitive practices hurt customers and the marketplace of ideas.

The trial, now in its fourth week, is expected to take at least two months before the judge deliberates on whether the FTC's antitrust arguments are enough to warrant a remedy.

In a worst-case scenario for Meta, the company could be required to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp, significantly hurting the social media company's revenue and influence among consumers and the tech world.

Meta's purchase of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 is coming under intense scrutiny in a court battle where the company is defending itself against the FTC. Reuters
Meta's purchase of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 is coming under intense scrutiny in a court battle where the company is defending itself against the FTC. Reuters

Mr Zuckerberg, along with the company's former chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, have been among the star witnesses so far.

Meta lawyers hit back against the accusation they were trying to manipulate witness schedules, telling Judge Boasberg that new evidence belatedly provided by social media company Snap caused the need to adjust timings.

As for Mr Mosseri, according to his recent Instagram posts shared with his more than three million followers, he was in New York on Monday for the Met Gala, and just prior was in India for a Meta-related event promoting Instagram features.

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

 

 

How Sputnik V works
About%20My%20Father
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaura%20Terruso%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERobert%20De%20Niro%2C%20Sebastian%20Maniscalco%2C%20Kim%20Cattrall%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info:

Leicester City 1
Ghezzal (63')

Liverpool 2
Mane (10'), Firmino (45')

RESULT

Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Man United: Dunk (66' og)

Man of the Match: Shane Duffy (Brighton)

The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ

Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700

Engine 3.0L V6

Transmission Eight-speed automatic

Power 340hp @ 6,000pm

Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.

Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.

EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S

Rating: 3/5

Race card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m

7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m

9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m

The National selections

6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh289,000

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

Company%20profile
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Updated: May 07, 2025, 5:11 PM