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

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.