On November 19, 2025, a federal judge in the United States, James Boasberg, ruled on Tuesday, November 18, rejecting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) request to split Instagram (commonly known as IG) and WhatsApp, stating that Meta no longer holds a monopoly position in the social media market. This ruling represents a significant victory for Big Tech in the recent antitrust actions in the United States.
The core of Judge Boasberg’s decision lies in the significant changes that have occurred in the social media market since the FTC filed the lawsuit in 2020.
Boasberg agreed with Meta’s perspective that the social media landscape has evolved beyond being primarily used for personal status updates, indicating a structural shift in the market. Meta’s competition extends beyond what the FTC claims, including platforms such as Snapchat, small social applications like MeWe, and even TikTok, YouTube, and Apple’s messaging services.
The judge found that the FTC failed to prove Meta still holds a monopoly position, leading to the ruling in favor of Meta.
“Even without considering YouTube, the inclusion of TikTok alone is sufficient to dismiss the FTC’s case,” the judge wrote.
The verdict emphasized that the FTC accused Meta of following a strategy of “acquire rather than compete,” citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 2008 email as evidence of its “monopolistic motive.” However, the focal point of this case is not the legality of acquisitions a decade ago but the existence of a monopoly in the current market.
The judge pointed out that the boundary between social networking and social media has collapsed. He referenced the saying of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” to describe the constantly changing world of online social media.
According to courtroom evidence, users switch to TikTok or YouTube when encountering issues with Facebook or Instagram, demonstrating clear alternatives among platforms. The judge also noted Meta’s investment of around $4 billion last year to enhance the short video feature Reels in response to competitive pressure from TikTok.
Following the announcement of the ruling, FTC spokesperson Joe Simonson expressed disappointment, stating, “We are deeply disappointed in this decision,” and added, “We are exploring all options.”
Meta welcomed the ruling, with Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Newstead stating that the decision “recognizes the intense competition Meta faces.”
She said, “Our products benefit people and businesses, embodying American innovation and economic growth.”
This outcome contrasts sharply with two previous independent rulings against Google in the realms of search and online advertising for constituting illegal monopolies.
Market research firm Emarketer analyst Minda Smiley told the Associated Press that Meta’s victory in this case “is not particularly surprising, considering the significant efforts the company has made in recent years to catch up with TikTok.”
She added, “However, from a regulatory perspective, Meta still has a long way to go: next year, the United States will embark on milestone trials against several major social platforms on children’s mental health issues.”
“Nevertheless, in the face of external doubts about whether Meta’s substantial investments in AI can bring long-term benefits, today’s victory undoubtedly gives the company a shot in the arm,” Smiley said.
This case is part of a large-scale antitrust action in the United States. In addition to Meta, the Department of Justice is pursuing multiple antitrust lawsuits against Google, while Amazon and Apple also face similar accusations.