Overview
- U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled on Nov. 18 that the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds monopoly power in the relevant market.
- The decision expands the market view to include TikTok and YouTube as substitutes for Facebook and Instagram, with the judge noting that TikTok alone defeats the FTC’s case.
- No divestitures were ordered, leaving Instagram and WhatsApp under Meta’s control after the agency sought a forced spinoff.
- The FTC said it is “deeply disappointed” and is reviewing its options, while Meta said the ruling recognizes it faces fierce competition.
- The case, filed in 2020 and tried this spring with testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and internal emails, faltered because past intent did not establish present monopolization in a rapidly changing social media landscape.