Meta Won the Antitrust Case: A Breakthrough for Social Media Giants

Meta's Victory in Antitrust Lawsuit

HANDE BERKTAN

The social media giant Meta has achieved a significant victory in an important antitrust lawsuit alleging that it solidified its dominance by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp.

What Was the Outcome of the Case?

After a five-year struggle, Meta successfully emerged from the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg stated that the FTC could not prove that Meta violated antitrust laws when it acquired Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. Despite these acquisitions being approved, the FTC had been calling for Meta to divest these platforms.

Acquisition Strategies

Mark Zuckerberg shared his thoughts in emails that emerged during the trial, indicating that acquiring Instagram in February 2012 would create a barrier against competitors approaching their scale. Zuckerberg expressed, "Even if some new competitors emerge, buying Instagram now will save us a year or more."

Judge Boasberg's Decision

Judge James Boasberg emphasized in his ruling that the FTC could not prove that Meta acquired Instagram and WhatsApp with the intention of eliminating competitors in the social media market. This situation indicates that Meta will continue to maintain its dominance in the social media space.