Meta Platforms to Face FTC Antitrust Trial

Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, is set to face trial on April 14, 2024, over allegations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it unlawfully acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate competition. The FTC's lawsuit, initiated in 2020, asserts that Meta overpaid for these platforms to suppress emerging threats rather than compete fairly in the social networking market. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has ruled that the case will proceed despite Meta's attempts to dismiss it, arguing that the FTC's view of the market is overly narrow. The FTC is seeking a permanent injunction against Meta, citing anticompetitive practices under various legal statutes. This case reflects ongoing challenges in defining market competition in the rapidly evolving social media landscape. The trial may test the FTC's claims against established antitrust precedents as the agency strives to prove harm to consumers and competition.