In a recent testimony during the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit against Meta, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom revealed that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg viewed Instagram as a threat to Facebook’s dominance. Systrom alleged that after Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram in 2012, Zuckerberg deliberately limited Instagram’s growth by withholding resources and cutting key feature integrations. This included removing Facebook’s growth team assistance to Instagram and providing minimal support during crises like the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Systrom and fellow co-founder Mike Krieger eventually resigned in 2018, citing increasing interference from Zuckerberg. Despite Meta’s claims that Instagram thrived due to Facebook’s support, Systrom maintained that Instagram’s success occurred in spite of Facebook’s actions. He emphasized that Instagram could have succeeded independently, highlighting internal politics and rivalry within Meta.
This testimony sheds light on the dynamics within Meta and raises questions about the impact of such internal decisions on the growth and autonomy of acquired companies. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for future tech acquisitions and antitrust regulations.