Meta Asks Judge to Dismiss FTC Antitrust Case, Says Agency Failed to Prove Monopoly

/in /tarafından

Meta Platforms (META.O) on Thursday urged a federal judge to dismiss the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) high-profile antitrust lawsuit, arguing that the agency has failed to prove its case that Meta illegally maintains a social media monopoly through acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.

The motion comes mid-trial, which began on April 14 in Washington D.C., as the FTC seeks to unwind Meta’s acquisitions of the two platforms—deals that occurred more than a decade ago.

Meta’s Legal Argument:

  • Meta asked U.S. District Judge James Boasberg to rule on the evidence so far, potentially ending the case early.

  • The company claimed the FTC:

    • Failed to demonstrate that WhatsApp was a social media threat at the time of acquisition.

    • Could not prove that Meta acquired Instagram to quash competition rather than foster its growth.

    • Offered a flawed market definition, ignoring platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit, which Meta says are all part of the same competition for user attention.

“Each [app] vies to show the most compelling user-generated content… to take as much user time and attention as possible,” Meta argued.

FTC’s Case So Far:

  • The FTC claims Meta used acquisitions to eliminate emerging threats, citing internal emails showing CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing concern over Instagram and WhatsApp’s growth.

  • The agency distinguishes platforms based on “friends-and-family” sharing, arguing that Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat occupy a unique category not interchangeable with TikTok or YouTube, which focus on interest-based broadcasting to strangers.

What’s Next:

  • Judge Boasberg can:

    • Grant Meta’s motion, ending the trial early, or

    • Decline, allowing the case to proceed with closing briefs and arguments.

  • If the judge later rules that Meta does hold an illegal monopoly, a second trial will follow to determine remedies, potentially including divestitures.

This case is one of the most consequential antitrust actions in the modern tech era, testing the power of regulators to challenge long-past mergers based on evolving market dynamics.

Adevinta Eyes Sale of Spanish Business Amid Strategic Breakup Plan by Private Equity Owners

/in /tarafından

Adevinta, the Norway-based online classifieds group, is preparing to sell its Spanish operations, as part of a broader plan by new owners Blackstone and Permira to break up the company and concentrate on core markets, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The sale process, which is being managed with the help of advisers, could value the Spanish business—including well-known brands like InfoJobs, Fotocasa, and coches.net—at over €2 billion ($2.2 billion).

Adevinta’s Spanish arm reportedly generates around €130 million in EBITDA, one source noted.

Background and Strategy:

  • Adevinta was acquired in 2023 by a consortium led by Blackstone and Permira in a major European private equity deal.

  • The owners are now executing a portfolio streamlining strategy, focusing on three priority markets:

    • Germany

    • France

    • Benelux

  • This move follows Adevinta’s recent sale of its Austrian unit willhaben and ongoing plans for a 2026 IPO of Mobile.de, its German auto classifieds platform.

Spanish Portfolio Includes:

  • InfoJobs – A leading online job search platform in Spain

  • Fotocasa – A popular real estate classifieds site

  • coches.net – A major portal for second-hand vehicles

  • Motos.net, Habitaclia, and Milanuncios – Other well-known local marketplaces

Market Trends and Potential Buyers:

  • Investor interest in online classifieds is rising:

    • Cinven acquired Idealista, another major Spanish property classifieds site, in 2023.

    • Rightmove recently rejected an $8 billion bid from Australia’s REA Group.

  • Likely suitors for Adevinta’s Spanish assets could include:

    • Private equity firms

    • Rival classifieds platforms

    • Strategic investors seeking regional market consolidation

Neither Adevinta, Blackstone, nor Permira offered comment on the matter.

Industry Context:

As digital classifieds consolidate across Europe, Adevinta’s move mirrors a broader trend of focused scaling and value unlocking in mature marketplaces. The potential €2B deal could mark one of the largest classifieds divestitures in Europe this year.

Nvidia Eyes Shanghai R&D Hub to Sustain Presence in China Amid U.S. Export Curbs

/in /tarafından

Nvidia (NVDA.O) is actively seeking a location in Shanghai to establish a new research and development (R&D) center, according to three sources familiar with the matter, as the U.S. chip giant navigates ongoing export restrictions that have significantly impacted its AI chip sales to China.

The move comes amid intensifying U.S.-China tech tensions and growing competition from domestic Chinese firms like Huawei. The proposed R&D site would cement Nvidia’s long-term strategic foothold in the Chinese AI market, which CEO Jensen Huang recently called “irreplaceable.”

Key Details:

  • Nvidia’s site search began in early 2025, focusing on Shanghai’s Minhang and Xuhui districts.

  • The plan gained traction following Huang’s surprise visit to China last month, where he met with:

    • Vice Premier He Lifeng

    • Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng

  • Shanghai’s local government is reportedly offering incentives such as:

    • Tax reductions

    • Land allocations for the R&D facility

“Being excluded from China’s AI market would be a tremendous loss,” Huang told CNBC after the trip, estimating the market could grow to $50 billion in the next 2–3 years.

Strategic Context:

  • China accounted for $17 billion (13%) of Nvidia’s global revenue in FY2024 (ending January 26).

  • But since the U.S. introduced chip export restrictions in 2022, Nvidia’s China sales have been cut in half.

  • The U.S. recently tightened controls again, targeting Nvidia’s H20 AI chip—the only model it could legally sell in China.

  • Nvidia is expected to release a downgraded H20 variant in the coming months to regain lost market share from rivals like Huawei.

Geopolitical Balancing Act:

Despite Washington’s escalating controls, Nvidia is doubling down on China, hoping to maintain a non-military-facing commercial presence. The proposed R&D center:

  • Could focus on software, systems, or less-restricted chip components.

  • Offers Nvidia a compliant way to retain engagement in a critical market.

Shanghai’s openness to foreign tech investment—already home to Tesla’s Gigafactory—makes it a natural hub for such strategic positioning.

Industry Implications:

  • The plan signals tech decoupling is not total; companies like Nvidia continue to balance compliance with U.S. law and market access in China.

  • It highlights the growing importance of regional R&D to circumvent geopolitical bottlenecks.

  • If successful, the center could become a model for how U.S. tech firms operate under export control regimes while defending global market share.