WhatsApp and Instagram can stay under Meta's ownership, US court rules

A US federal judge has determined that Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is not a monopoly and will not be required to split up.

It is one of the biggest victories for Facebook founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg in recent years. The closely watched court case was the closest that Meta has come to seeing its dominance threatened.

In what became a five-year legal battle, the US Federal Trade Commission claimed that Meta unfairly boxed out and bought potential competition to maintain a monopoly and ultimately limit user choice in social media.

"Believing that the only constant in the world was change, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus posited that no man can ever step into the same river twice," wrote Judge James Boasberg, opening his decision that cleared Meta of any wrongdoing.

"In the online world of social media, the current runs fast, too … the landscape that existed only five years ago when the FTC brought this antitrust suit has changed markedly."

WhatsApp and Instagram were not created at Meta, but were bought by the company when it noticed their popularity. But Mr Boasberg said that the FTC failed to prove that the company had limited consumer choice and prove that it was a monopolistic threat to users.

The social media and technology company repeatedly made the argument during the trial that apps like TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube were popular and were therefore proof of a healthy marketplace.

Judge Boasberg ruled that FTC failed to prove that Meta operated in a monopolistic manner. Pacer

“Meta faces fierce competition,” a statement from the company read. “We look forward to continuing to partner with the Administration and to invest in America."

There had been some speculation that President Donald Trump would push the FTC to drop its case against Meta, but the litigation continued even after Mr Zuckerberg had a series of meetings with the White House.

It remains to be seen if the FTC will challenge Mr Boasberg's ruling.

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