Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom recently testified in the antitrust trial against Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, that the popular photo-sharing app could have succeeded without being acquired by the social media giant. Systrom, who co-founded Instagram with Mike Krieger in 2010, recounted how quickly the app was growing before Mark Zuckerberg’s purchase offer in 2012.

During his testimony on Tuesday, Systrom stated that Instagram was already on a path to success and had a strong user base before the acquisition. He described how the app had gained popularity among young people and celebrities, and had a loyal following of millions of users. Systrom also highlighted the app’s rapid growth, with over 30 million registered users within two years of its launch.

This testimony challenges the narrative put forth by Meta Platforms that the acquisition of Instagram was necessary for its success. The social media giant has repeatedly claimed that it purchased Instagram for its talented team and innovative features, but Systrom’s testimony suggests that the app was already on a path to success before the acquisition.

Systrom’s statement also raises questions about Meta’s acquisition strategy and its impact on competition in the social media market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accused Meta of engaging in anti-competitive behavior by acquiring potential competitors, including Instagram and WhatsApp, to maintain its dominance in the market.

The acquisition of Instagram by Meta has been under scrutiny for years, with critics arguing that it stifled competition and innovation in the social media industry. Systrom’s testimony adds weight to these concerns and highlights the need for stricter regulations to prevent dominant players like Meta from acquiring potential competitors.

Despite the controversy surrounding the acquisition, Instagram has continued to grow and evolve under Meta’s ownership. The app now has over one billion monthly active users and has expanded its features beyond just photo-sharing to include videos, reels, and shopping. However, Systrom’s testimony suggests that the app could have achieved this success on its own, without the support and resources of a tech giant like Meta.

Systrom’s testimony also sheds light on the relationship between the co-founders of Instagram and Zuckerberg. According to Systrom, he and Krieger initially had no intention of selling the app, but they were impressed by Zuckerberg’s vision and decided to join forces with Meta. However, Systrom also revealed that he and Krieger had concerns about the direction in which Meta was taking Instagram, particularly with the introduction of ads and changes to the app’s algorithm.

In conclusion, Systrom’s testimony has provided valuable insights into the early days of Instagram and its relationship with Meta Platforms. His statement challenges the narrative that the app’s success was solely due to Meta’s acquisition and highlights the need for stricter regulations to promote fair competition in the tech industry. Despite the controversy surrounding the acquisition, Instagram remains one of the most popular and influential social media platforms, and Systrom’s testimony only adds to its success story.