Meta has won an antitrust case that could have split up its business, with a judge ruling it does not hold a social networking monopoly. This contrasts with rulings against Google, dealing a regulatory blow to the tech industry. The FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds a monopoly, according to the ruling.

The FTC argued Meta maintained a monopoly through acquisitions, citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 2008 statement to buy rather than compete. Zuckerberg denied buying Instagram to neutralize a threat, downplaying old emails. The case focused on whether Meta holds a monopoly now, not on past acquisitions approved by the FTC.

Meta argued it faces fierce competition, highlighting its benefits for people and businesses. The social media landscape has evolved significantly since the lawsuit, with TikTok emerging as Meta’s main rival. The judge noted the ever-changing nature of social media, comparing it to Heraclitus’ philosophy.

Despite Meta’s win, regulatory challenges lie ahead, especially in trials concerning children’s mental health. Emarketer analyst Minda Smiley believes Meta’s victory is not surprising given its efforts to compete with TikTok. The company still faces scrutiny over its AI spending’s long-term benefits.

Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram in 2012 marked a shift to mobile devices and appealed to younger users. Despite the FTC’s narrow definition of Meta’s competitive market, excluding rivals like TikTok, investors were unfazed by the ruling. Meta’s stock price remained stable amid broader market trends.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Meta prevails in historic FTC antitrust case, won’t have to break off WhatsApp, Instagram