Meta Antitrust Trial Advances After Judge's Decision

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, will face trial following a decision by Judge James Boasberg to allow the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) antitrust lawsuit to proceed. The FTC accuses Meta of stifling competition by acquiring Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, claiming the purchases were made to eliminate potential rivals rather than competing on their own merits. Judge Boasberg largely denied Meta's motion to dismiss the case, although he dismissed allegations that Meta restricted third-party app developers' access to its platform. Meta contends that the acquisitions have benefited competition and consumers, asserting that the FTC's arguments overlook the broader competitive landscape involving platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The FTC's case, initially filed during the Trump administration and continued under Biden, aims to dismantle Meta's alleged monopoly to foster innovation and competition in the social media sector. A trial date has not yet been set, but the case is one of several significant legal actions targeting major tech companies by US regulators.