Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) Stock: Judge Rules Meta Is Not a Monopoly in Landmark Antitrust Win

TLDR

• Judge rules Meta does not hold a social networking monopoly.
• FTC’s attempt to force a breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp fails.
• Stock trades at $598.39 after a seven-week trial that included Zuckerberg’s testimony.
• Ruling marks first major Big Tech win during ongoing antitrust crackdown.
• Market competition from TikTok and YouTube played a key role in the decision.

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) traded at $598.39 during Tuesday’s session after a federal judge ruled the company does not hold an illegal social networking monopoly.

Meta Platforms, Inc., META

The decision arrives as Meta continues navigating regulatory pressure and market shifts, though the article does not provide a specific upcoming earnings date.

The ruling ends the Federal Trade Commission’s attempt to force Meta to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, acquisitions the agency claimed were made to eliminate competition. The seven-week trial included testimony from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who said Meta faces strong competition from TikTok, YouTube and other fast-growing platforms.

Why the Judge Rejected the FTC’s Arguments

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that Meta “holds no monopoly in the relevant market,” citing the rapid rise of TikTok and the continued dominance of YouTube. He also noted that the social media landscape of 2025 looks different from when the FTC filed its case in 2020, with AI-generated content reshaping platform engagement and user behavior.

Boasberg emphasized that Meta’s share of total time spent on social platforms is declining, even when YouTube is excluded from the market definition. He underscored TikTok’s explosive growth, calling it Meta’s fiercest competitor.

Meta spokesperson Nkechi Nneji welcomed the outcome, saying the ruling highlights the competitive nature of digital platforms and the company’s role in supporting innovation.

Why the Case Matters for Big Tech

The decision marks a significant setback for the FTC, which is pursuing wide-scale actions against multiple tech giants. The agency is currently engaged in separate antitrust cases targeting Amazon, while the Department of Justice continues its legal battles with Google and Apple.

A forced breakup would have dealt a major blow to Meta, which relies heavily on Instagram for digital advertising revenue and WhatsApp for business messaging and global expansion. Despite Meta’s 3.3 billion daily active users across its platforms, Zuckerberg acknowledged during the trial that Facebook’s popularity has declined, reinforcing the FTC’s argument about market concentration. Yet the judge concluded that competitors provide meaningful alternatives.

Meta argued that regulators approved both acquisitions when they occurred in 2012 and 2014. The company contended that unwinding them now could undermine U.S. competitiveness, a point the court found compelling.

Broader Implications for the Social Media Market

Meta’s legal victory arrives as the Biden administration and global regulators intensify their scrutiny of large platforms. The judge’s opinion could shape how courts evaluate antitrust claims involving fast-evolving digital markets.

With TikTok’s rapid ascent and the growth of AI-driven content, the ruling signals that market dynamism remains central to defining monopoly power.

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