Meta Platforms Inc. has secured a major legal victory after a U.S. federal court dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) antitrust lawsuit seeking to force the company to divest its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds monopoly power in the social networking market. The judge noted that while Meta once dominated the space, the rapid rise of competitors such as TikTok demonstrates that consumers have viable alternatives.
The FTC had argued that Meta engaged in a “buy-or-bury” strategy by acquiring Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion and WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, thereby stifling competition. However, Meta countered that these platforms only became global leaders because of its investment and integration, and pointed to TikTok’s success as evidence of ongoing competition.
Key Points
No breakup required: Meta will retain ownership of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Big Tech precedent: The ruling marks a significant setback for U.S. regulators in their broader crackdown on tech giants, with ongoing cases still pending against Amazon and Google.
Market reaction: Meta’s shares pared losses after the ruling, closing slightly down but avoiding a steep decline.
The FTC first filed charges in 2020, arguing that Meta’s acquisitions harmed consumers by reducing innovation and choice. The case was widely seen as one of the biggest threats to Meta’s business model. With this ruling, Meta has strengthened its position as it expands into artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and digital commerce.
