Court Rejects Monopoly Accusations
A US district judge in Washington ruled that Meta did not violate antitrust laws when it acquired Instagram and WhatsApp more than ten years ago. The decision deals a setback to the Federal Trade Commission, which sued Meta in 2020 and argued the company used these deals to dominate the social-media market. Judge James Boasberg wrote that the agency failed to prove its claims and concluded that Meta does not hold monopoly power. Meta welcomed the ruling and said the company competes in a tough and fast-moving market.
Top Executives Defend Meta’s Strategy
In April, Judge Boasberg oversaw a long bench trial that included testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg. They argued that TikTok and YouTube reshaped the market and challenged Meta’s position. The judge noted that the FTC reviewed and approved Meta’s Instagram purchase in 2012 and its WhatsApp acquisition in 2014. The FTC argued Meta overpaid, spending $1 billion for Instagram and $19 billion for WhatsApp. Boasberg described a shifting social-media landscape where trends rise and fade quickly. He said the FTC failed to prove Meta still holds market power and pointed to the company’s shrinking share.
FTC Signals Deep Frustration
The FTC said it had not decided whether to appeal and expressed strong disappointment. Spokesperson Joe Simonson said the agency was considering all options and claimed the process felt biased. He mentioned earlier political clashes involving the judge and noted attempts by some Republican lawmakers to remove him from office. The judge was asked to respond.
Decision Protects Meta From a Break-Up
The ruling shields Meta from a possible forced split that could have separated Instagram and WhatsApp. Meta said its products support people and businesses and highlight American innovation and growth. A spokesperson said the company looks forward to continued cooperation with the administration and ongoing investment in the United States.
Experts See a Shift in Antitrust Dynamics
The decision follows two recent Justice Department wins against Google in cases involving search and advertising technology. Yet a different judge recently declined to require Google to divest its Chrome browser, despite calls from government lawyers. Against this backdrop, experts say the new Meta ruling reflects a shift in momentum. Vanderbilt professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth said the judgment may shape decisions on future tech cases. She stressed that the ruling does not mean the government’s broader antitrust push is failing and called the overall picture mixed.
Analysts Point to Early Challenges
Many legal experts said the FTC case faced obstacles from the start. University of Georgia professor Laura Phillips-Sawyer said rapid market changes complicated the suit. She added that early comments from Zuckerberg suggested a desire to weaken a rising competitor that threatened the company’s position.
Meta Faces More Legal Tests Ahead
Meta still confronts significant legal challenges. Zuckerberg must testify in a major case examining social media’s effect on young people. Last month, a Los Angeles judge rejected Meta’s attempt to avoid his in-person appearance in January. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri will also appear in a case claiming social-media platforms design addictive features for young users despite knowing the mental-health risks.
