If the FTC had its way, it could have ordered Meta to reverse its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram. “We are deeply disappointed by this decision,” Joe Simonson, director of public affairs for the FTC, said in a statement. “With Judge Boasberg currently facing impeachment proceedings, the cards were still stacked against us. Exploring all our options.” The FTC can still appeal the decision is are by We. It’s unclear if it plans to do so.
“Today’s court decision recognizes that Meta faces strong competition. ” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement. “Our products benefit individuals and businesses and exemplify American innovation and economic growth. We look forward to continuing to work with the government. Invest in the United States.”
Several current. Former top executives. Including Adam Mosseri. Sheryl Sandberg. Kevin Systrom. Mark Zuckerberg. Testified during the week-long trial earlier this year. In his statement. Zuckerberg spoke about the enormous pressure Meta has felt from TikTok.
Saying Meta’s growth has “slowed significantly” as TikTok has become more popular.
It turns out that Meta’s defense that TikTok. Major competitors helped convince Judge Boasberg. is are by YouTube. While FTC lawyers had tried to argue that Meta had a monopoly on “personal social media” apps (a small group would include Snapchat. The decentralized app MeWe). Boasberg couldn’t ignore the dominance of TikTok. YouTube.
“Personal social networking (PSN) apps may have been a distinct market when the FTC filed this complaint in 2020. When it approved Facebook’s acquisitions of Instagram. WhatsApp in 2012. 2014. ” he wrote. “This is no longer the case.
Ultimately, the court finds that YouTube and TikTok are part of the product market and prevents Meta from having a monopoly. Even if YouTube were to be excluded. TikTok’s inclusion would only undermine the FTC’s case.”
Update. November 18. 2025 at 12:08 PM PST: An FTC statement has been added.
