US Judge Weighs Meta Breakup in FTC Monopoly Trial

Meta Platforms has concluded its seven-week antitrust trial against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which alleges that Meta unlawfully monopolized the social media market by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp to stifle competition. Central to the case is how U.S. District Judge James Boasberg defines the relevant market, with the FTC arguing for a narrow definition focused on social networking apps connecting friends and family, while Meta contends the market is broader, including platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Despite damaging internal evidence, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg's admission that buying Instagram would 'neutralize a competitor,' the judge's market definition decision will largely determine the outcome. If the FTC's narrow market view prevails, Meta may be forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, potentially reshaping Big Tech regulation; if the broader market perspective is accepted, Meta could avoid breakup. Experts highlight the complexity of the case, noting the evolving nature of Meta's app usage from social connection to content discovery, which challenges the FTC's claims. The ruling, expected after written arguments, may take years and could trigger appeals regardless of the outcome, underscoring the case's significance as a landmark tech antitrust trial.