"A federal judge dealt a blow to the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, ruling against the agency in a blockbuster lawsuit against Meta. US District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the FTC failed to prove Meta formed a monopoly through its purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp. "The Court ultimately concludes that the agency has not carried its burden: Meta holds no monopoly in the relevant market," Boasberg wrote. "Judgment must therefore be entered in its favor.""
"Government lawyers asked the judge to issue a ruling that would force Meta to divest from Instagram and WhatsApp. Boasberg ruled that the "personal social networking services" market was too ill-defined. In rulings over the years, Boasberg said he noticed that Meta's apps - and the company's competitors - kept changing. "The Court's two Opinions on motions to dismiss did not even mention the word 'TikTok,'" Boasberg wrote. "Today, that app holds center stage as Meta's fiercest rival.""
US District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the Federal Trade Commission did not prove Meta formed a monopoly through acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. The judge concluded Meta holds no monopoly in the relevant market and entered judgment for Meta. The FTC sued in 2020, alleging Meta's ownership of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp illegally dominated the personal social networking services market and sought divestiture. Boasberg found the defined market too ill-defined, noting that Meta's apps and competitors have continuously changed. The judge emphasized the rise of TikTok as a central competitor and a significant factor in the ruling.
Read at Business Insider
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