Judge Dismisses Antitrust Allegations
A US district judge in Washington ruled that Meta did not break antitrust laws when it bought Instagram and WhatsApp more than ten years ago. The decision represents a setback for the Federal Trade Commission, which sued Meta in 2020 and claimed the company secured dominance by absorbing rivals. Judge James Boasberg wrote that the agency failed to prove its case and said Meta does not hold a monopoly in the social-media market. Meta praised the ruling and said it faces strong competition.
Top Meta Leaders Defend Company Strategy
In April, Judge Boasberg led a long bench trial that featured testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg. They argued that TikTok and YouTube reshaped the market. The judge also noted that the FTC reviewed and approved Meta’s Instagram deal in 2012 and its WhatsApp purchase in 2014. The FTC said Meta paid too much, spending $1 billion for Instagram and $19 billion for WhatsApp. Boasberg described a market that constantly shifts as trends rise and fade. He added that the FTC failed to show Meta still holds market power and pointed to falling market share.
Federal Regulators Express Frustration
The FTC said it had not decided whether to appeal and expressed deep frustration. Spokesperson Joe Simonson said the agency was reviewing all options and claimed the process felt unfair. He referenced earlier clashes between the judge and the Trump administration and noted efforts by some Republican lawmakers to remove the judge. The judge was asked to respond.
Meta Avoids Forced Split of Its Platforms
The ruling prevents a potential break-up that could have separated Instagram and WhatsApp from Meta. The company said its products support people and businesses and highlight US innovation and economic growth. A spokesperson said Meta plans to keep working with the administration and investing in the country.
Broader Impact on Big Tech Cases
The decision follows two Justice Department victories against Google. One case involved online search and another covered advertising technology. However, another Washington judge recently declined to require Google to divest its Chrome browser. In this context, experts say the new Meta ruling signals a shift in momentum. Vanderbilt professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth said the decision may shape decisions on future cases. She stressed that it does not mean the government’s antitrust push is failing and described the situation as mixed.
Specialists Highlight Case Difficulties
Many legal experts said the FTC faced obstacles from the start. University of Georgia professor Laura Phillips-Sawyer said rapid changes in social networking made the case complex. She added that Zuckerberg’s old internal messages suggested a desire to limit a rising threat to the company’s power.
More Legal Battles Ahead for Meta
Meta still faces major legal challenges. Zuckerberg must testify in a landmark case about social media’s impact 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 testify in a case claiming that social-media platforms make their apps addictive for young users despite knowing the mental-health risks.
