Story perspectives

Judge Rules Meta Not a Monopoly, FTC Lawsuit Fails

11/19/2025

Summary

Judge Upholds Meta

On November 18, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled that Meta Platforms, Inc. does not hold a social media monopoly and rejected the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s antitrust lawsuit.
Judge Boasberg found the FTC failed to prove Meta's Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions were anti-competitive.
He noted the landscape includes TikTok and YouTube.
The ruling allows Meta to retain the platforms.
Meta's spokesperson welcomed the decision.

History

Historical Context

In 2001, the U.S. District Court ruled against Microsoft for antitrust violations, declaring it a monopoly in software. This case, initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice and 20 states in 1998, highlighted Microsoft's exclusionary practices, particularly bundling Internet Explorer with Windows. The ruling set a precedent for future tech regulation, influencing cases like the FTC's challenge against Meta Platforms, Inc.

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Judge Upholds Meta

On November 18, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled that Meta Platforms, Inc. does not hold a social media monopoly and rejected the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)'s antitrust lawsuit.
Judge Boasberg found the FTC failed to prove Meta's Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions were anti-competitive.
He noted the landscape includes TikTok and YouTube.
The ruling allows Meta to retain the platforms.
Meta's spokesperson welcomed the decision.

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