Overview
- U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued a November 18 opinion finding the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds monopoly power in social networking.
- The ruling means Meta will not be required to divest Instagram or WhatsApp, the breakup remedy the FTC sought.
- Boasberg found that TikTok—and, more debatably, YouTube—compete in the relevant market, concluding that including TikTok alone defeats the FTC’s case.
- The opinion emphasized how the social media landscape has evolved since 2020, including AI-driven content and shifting user behavior that undercut the agency’s theory.
- The FTC said it is deeply disappointed and reviewing its options, while Meta praised the ruling as recognition of intense competition and signaled it will keep investing.