Meta to Stand Trial in FTC Antitrust Case

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg has denied Meta's request to dismiss the FTC's antitrust case, which alleges that the company illegally maintains a monopoly through its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. While some claims were dismissed, the core issues regarding these acquisitions will proceed to trial, with a hearing scheduled for later this month to discuss the trial date. Meta maintains that its purchases were beneficial for competition and consumers, countering the FTC's claims that they suppressed competition. The FTC's case is part of a broader effort to challenge the monopoly power of major tech firms, reflecting bipartisan concerns over their influence. Judge Boasberg's ruling allows the FTC to contest Meta's defenses, limiting the arguments the company can present regarding its competitive necessity against rivals like Apple and Google. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for antitrust actions against large tech companies in the future.