Meta Seeks Early Dismissal of FTC Antitrust Case, Claims Lack of Evidence

Tech giant Meta has requested a judge to dismiss an ongoing antitrust case, arguing that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has failed to present sufficient evidence to support its claims. The move comes as the trial is set to continue in the DC District Court before Judge James Boasberg. Meta's motion, submitted this evening, asserts that after five weeks of testimony, the FTC has not met the legal standards required under antitrust law. "It is clear that the FTC has failed to meet the legal standard required under antitrust law," a Meta spokesperson, Christopher Sgro, stated. "We look forward to presenting our case to demonstrate what is already widely understood by anyone familiar with social media: Instagram competes with TikTok, YouTube, and numerous other apps. Despite this, the FTC has expended tens of millions of taxpayer dollars on a weak case that ignores real-world dynamics." A judgment on partial findings is a procedural request that asks the judge to evaluate the strength of a case before it is fully argued, potentially accelerating its resolution. While the trial is still scheduled to proceed, Meta's filing provides insight into its defense strategy. The FTC argues that Meta has unlawfully monopolized the personal social networking market by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. However, Meta's lawyers have challenged this assertion during cross-examinations, pointing out that the FTC's definition of the "personal social networking services" market is too narrow. They argue that the FTC has not shown how Meta has diminished service quality—a key indicator of lack of competition—or that the acquisition of Instagram was motivated by the intent to eliminate a threat. Several prominent figures have testified for the FTC, including Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom, who expressed discontent with Meta's management of Instagram, and Adam Mosseri, the current head of Instagram, who offered a more positive perspective. Meta's defense emphasizes the company's challenges in competing with platforms like TikTok, which it sees as a significant competitor for user attention, especially among younger demographics. Despite the FTC's efforts to define the market narrowly, Meta contends that the broader landscape of social networking includes platforms that are overlooked by the FTC, such as TikTok and YouTube. This broader view, according to Meta, highlights the intense competition the company faces, undermining the FTC's claims of monopoly. The trial remains a critical juncture for both Meta and the FTC, with Meta poised to present its own case and further challenge the government's stance on its business practices. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, particularly in how regulators oversee mergers and acquisitions in the digital space.