Overview
- U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed the FTC’s lawsuit on Nov. 18, ruling the agency failed to prove Meta currently holds or maintains monopoly power.
- The court rejected the FTC’s request to force divestitures, finding that competition from TikTok and YouTube and changes in user behavior undermine a narrow market definition.
- The seven-week trial featured testimony from Mark Zuckerberg and other executives and extensive internal documents, which the judge said did not establish an ongoing antitrust violation.
- The FTC said it was deeply disappointed and is reviewing its options, while Meta characterized the decision as recognition that it faces fierce competition.
- The ruling lands as U.S. antitrust actions against Big Tech yield mixed results, and Meta still faces separate legal risks, including a California trial on youth impacts set for January.