FTC Announces Appeal of District Court Ruling Favoring Meta in Antitrust Case

USA: FTC Appeals District Court Ruling in Meta Antitrust Case

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on Jan. 20, 2026 that it will appeal a November 2025 decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that ruled in favor of Meta Platforms, Inc. in the agency’s monopolization lawsuit. The appeal will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The FTC maintains that Meta has sustained a monopoly in personal social networking services through acquisitions of rivals such as Instagram and WhatsApp, arguing that the conduct undermines competition and harms American consumers and businesses.

Background of the Antitrust Suit

The FTC’s case against Meta began in 2020, alleging that the company leveraged its market power to stifle competition in the personal social networking market. The complaint focused on Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, which the agency contended were intended to neutralize emerging rivals.

FTC’s Position and Evidence

During the trial, the FTC presented evidence that Meta’s dominant share—approximately 70 percent of U.S. social networking users—was maintained through strategic purchases rather than organic growth. Agency officials, including Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera, asserted that the acquisitions eliminated viable alternatives for consumers.

Appeal Process and Timeline

The notice of appeal filed on Jan. 20, 2026 will be reviewed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The appellate court is expected to consider whether the district court erred in applying antitrust standards to the acquisitions. A briefing schedule has not been released, but the case could extend into 2027.

Potential Impact on the Tech Industry

If the appellate court reverses the lower‑court decision, Meta could face remedies such as divestitures of Instagram and WhatsApp or other conduct‑based injunctions. Industry analysts note that a ruling against Meta would signal heightened scrutiny of large technology mergers.

Reactions and Next Steps

The FTC emphasized its commitment to enforcing competition law, while Meta’s legal team has indicated it will defend the acquisitions as legitimate business decisions. Consumer advocacy groups have welcomed the appeal, stating that robust competition benefits users and advertisers.

This report is based on information from Federal Trade Commission, licensed under Public Domain (U.S. Government Work). Source: Official U.S. Government release.