Cover photo by るりり
The historic antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may force to separate . Behind this challenge lies the evolution of photo culture and the battle for dominance in the digital age.
We explore the trajectory from Instagram's inception and how photo-sharing culture might change in the future.
The Origins of Instagram as a Photo App
was launched in 2010, rapidly growing as a simple and beautiful photo-sharing app specialized for mobile.
The reason acquired it in 2012 was revealed in court through Zuckerberg's testimony, stating that Instagram's 'camera function' was superior to Facebook's at the time. This decision symbolized not just a technical choice but also the shift of the main platform for photo posting to smartphones.
Photo by Yuya
Acquisition for Control or Growth Support?
The FTC argues that acquired and to 'avoid competition and eliminate threats.' An internal email from Zuckerberg, presented as evidence, stated, 'Instagram was growing too fast, we had no choice but to buy it for $1 billion.'
Photo by Akira
On the other hand, argues that the acquisition allowed to grow globally and continue healthy competition with platforms like and .
The Future of Instagram and Its Cultural Impact
If the court rules that must be separated from , the app's direction could change significantly. Will the spirit of 'pure photo sharing,' free from algorithms and advertising strategies, return, or will a new independent vision emerge?
The future shape of is a theme we cannot ignore as a platform for expression.
