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

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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.

Snapchat Spectacles Upgrade with GPS-Enabled AR Lenses and Advanced Hand Tracking

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Snapchat marked six months since the launch of its fifth-generation Spectacles by unveiling a range of new augmented reality (AR) features and platform enhancements for the smart glasses. The latest update introduces advanced GPS-powered AR Lenses, improved hand-tracking capabilities, and a system-wide AR keyboard. These new tools aim to enhance the user experience by enabling real-time navigation, interactive gaming, and seamless social integration. With these upgrades, Snapchat is pushing the boundaries of wearable AR technology, making Spectacles more immersive and functional than ever.

New AR Features for Snapchat Spectacles

According to Snapchat’s newsroom announcement, developers can now create Lenses using GPS, GNSS, compass heading, and custom locations. These capabilities enable real-time, location-based AR experiences. One of the highlighted examples is NavigatAR, a Lens developed by Utopia Labs, which helps users navigate from one location to another using GPS data, Snap Map Tiles, and compass heading. Another feature, the Pioneer Lens, allows users to design and experience AR walking courses, adding a new layer of interactivity to everyday navigation.

Interactive Experiences and Sports Training

Snapchat has also introduced new ways for users to interact with AR elements in real-time. The Peridot Beyond Lens now allows players to see and engage with their digital creatures, known as “Dots,” alongside their friends in shared AR sessions. Meanwhile, Doggo Quest by Wabisabi leverages SnapML to recognize pets and overlay playful AR effects onto them through the Spectacles. Sports fans are also in for a treat with the new Basketball Trainer Lens, which features a holographic AR coach that guides users through shooting drills while automatically tracking scores using SnapML technology.

Enhanced Usability and Social Integration

Beyond AR enhancements, Snapchat has introduced a system-wide AR keyboard for Spectacles, featuring both full and numeric layouts. This upgrade makes it easier for users to interact with their glasses without relying on a phone. Additionally, Snapchat is integrating leaderboards into Spectacles, allowing users to track high scores across various Lenses. Spectacles users can now also open Lenses directly from message threads in Snapchat, iMessage, and Google Messages, making AR experiences more accessible and connected across different platforms. With these updates, Snapchat is reinforcing its commitment to advancing wearable AR and making Spectacles a more versatile device for entertainment, gaming, and everyday use.

Big Tech Challenges YouTube’s Exemption from Australia’s Ban on Social Media for Children

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Tech giants including Meta Platforms (owner of Facebook and Instagram), Snapchat, and TikTok have voiced strong opposition to Australia’s decision to grant YouTube an exemption from its new law banning social media access for children under the age of 16. The landmark legislation, which was passed by the Australian parliament in November, sets some of the most stringent social media regulations globally. The law requires platforms to prevent minors from logging in to their services or face hefty fines of up to AUD 49.5 million (approximately $31 million or Rs. 269 crore).

Under the current provisions, YouTube stands as the only platform exempt from the age restriction due to its status as an educational tool. The platform is considered essential for learning and is the only service allowed for children through family accounts with parental supervision features. While YouTube maintains that it offers safeguards for young users, such as restricted access to certain content through Family Link, critics argue that the platform still exposes children to the same risks outlined by the government in the new law. These risks include algorithmic content recommendations, social interactions, and potential exposure to harmful or inappropriate material.

Meta has voiced concerns about the YouTube exemption, stating that even children using YouTube under family accounts are still subjected to many of the features that the government’s legislation seeks to control. In a blog post, the company argued that YouTube’s exemption contradicts the reasons for implementing the law in the first place. The tech giant called on the Australian government to apply the law equally across all social media platforms, ensuring that YouTube does not receive preferential treatment in this regard.

TikTok, too, has raised objections to the exemption, calling it “illogical, anticompetitive, and short-sighted.” The company submitted a statement urging the government to maintain consistency in enforcing the law across all platforms. TikTok argued that creating exceptions for specific platforms like YouTube undermines the integrity of the legislation, potentially giving one company an unfair advantage over others in terms of user access and content exposure. As the law’s implementation deadline approaches, the debate over YouTube’s exemption continues to stir tensions within the tech industry.