FTC to appeal federal court ruling that favored Meta in antitrust case

The Federal Trade Commission said it will appeal a federal judge’s November ruling that found Meta Platforms Inc. does not hold a monopoly in social networking, according to a statement Tuesday. The FTC continues to contend that Meta “illegally maintained a monopoly” through “anticompetitive conduct” including its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The appeal represents the FTC’s effort to overturn a significant loss in its antitrust challenge against the social media giant.

The FTC’s announced appeal underscores the intensifying antitrust enforcement battles against major technology companies. While Meta prevailed in November, parallel antitrust cases have delivered losses to other tech companies, with federal courts finding Google to be an illegal monopoly in both search and online advertising.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg’s November ruling dealt the FTC a significant loss in its antitrust campaign against Meta. The decision came after a trial that concluded in late May and determined that Meta does not hold a monopoly in the social networking market, despite the FTC’s contentions.

The FTC’s Acquisition Challenge

The FTC’s case centered on whether Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 reduced competition. The agency alleged that Meta identified these platforms as significant competitive threats and purchased them specifically to eliminate that competition.

Meta’s Defense

In response, Meta defended its position. “The court’s decision to reject the FTC’s arguments is correct, and recognizes the fierce competition we face,” the company said in a statement. “We will remain focused on innovating and investing in America.”

A Shifting Tech Antitrust Landscape

The antitrust enforcement environment is shifting. While Meta prevailed in November, federal courts have found Google to be an illegal monopoly in search and online advertising, signaling intensified enforcement against a sector that has long operated with minimal regulatory constraints.

The FTC’s appeal will determine whether the agency can secure a legal victory that could reshape Meta’s structure. A successful appeal could force the company to divest the two platforms it acquired decades ago, fundamentally altering its business model.