Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during a high-profile trial about the future of his company’s business on the Metaverse network that Meta is focused on designing communications applications and developer platforms.
Dressed in a blue suit, white mask and glasses, Zuckerberg appeared in federal court in San Jose, California, to defend Meta’s acquisition of virtual reality app developer Within.
In the first few minutes, FTC officials questioned him about an email he wrote in 2015 in which he said he expected Meta to design “most applications and software services” for the virtual reality sector.
The FTC sued the owner of Facebook and Instagram in July to block the deal, saying its “campaign to take over virtual reality” began in 2014 when it acquired Oculus, a maker of virtual reality head-mounted gear. The committee accused Meta of trying to carve its way to domination of the Metaverse.
Within has developed the SuperNatural app, which it promotes as a “complete fitness service” with “beautiful destinations” and “workouts designed with the best music available.”
Meta is waging a multi-pronged global battle against regulators due to its dominance in different markets. On Monday, the European Commission said it had warned Meta that it was violating EU antitrust laws by distorting competition in online classified and abusing its dominant position.
Meta shares rose 1.7 percent in afternoon trading to $116.53 a share.